Maldives government Tuesday condemned the ballistic missile launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen towards Islam's holiest city of Mecca.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in a message expressed concern over the attack.
“The Maldives remains fully committed to the fight against terrorism and will continue to work closely with the Government of Saudi Arabia and the international community in eliminating this global threat," the message read.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Maldives, and on my own behalf, I wish to express our firm solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and in all its efforts in maintaining peace and security in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region.”
According to the Saudi-led coalition, Houthi rebels launched a Scud missile from Saada province towards Mecca on Thursday.
The Saudi air defense system was able to intercept and destroy the missile 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the target site.
Major General Ahmed Asiri, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, accused Iran and Hezbollah of supporting the rebels and training them to use technology which enables them to launch such attacks. Asiri also announced retaliatory strikes against the Houthis.
Shiite rebels in Yemen, known as Houthis and their allies have fired a series of the missiles in Saudi Arabia since a kingdom-led coalition of Arab countries has launched an offensive against them in Yemen in March 2015.
This is not the first time that Houthi rebels have been accused of firing missiles into the vicinity of Mecca. Earlier this month, a ballistic missile launched from Yemen targeted a Saudi airbase in Taif, located outside the Muslim holy city. Sporadic rocket attacks on Saudi Arabia continue as the coalition upholds its military campaign in Yemen.
