MOSCOW. Nov 8 (Interfax) - The ballistic missile launch by the Houthis might prompt an escalation of hostilities in Yemen and is therefore worrying, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"It is fraught with a new escalation of combat actions, growth in the number of civilian fatalities, and further deterioration of the critical humanitarian situation in the Republic of Yemen in general," the ministry said in a statement available on its website.
"In this context, we reaffirm our principled position in favor of ending the forcible confrontation in Yemen as soon as possible and overcoming the tensions existing there through negotiations under UN aegis, based on a broad consensus between the primary Yemeni political forces. Russia will continue actively promoting the accomplishment of the given objective," the ministry said.
Media outlets reported earlier that a ballistic missile was launched toward Saudi Arabia on November 4 from Yemeni territory controlled by the Houthis (Ansar Allah), the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The missile was intercepted by Saudi air defense forces while approaching its target, the Riyadh International Airport. The strike did not lead to casualties or destruction, it said.
"The Houthis' leaders claimed responsibility for the strike, emphasizing that it was undertaken in response to the recent massive bombardments of Sana'a and the Saada governorate in the northern part of Yemen by the 'Arab coalition' led by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities claimed that the mastermind of the 'act of aggression' was Tehran, which incited Ansar Allah to launch the missile strike. The Iranian leadership has categorically denied the allegation," it said.
"As a response measure, the 'Arab coalition' has significantly increased the intensity of missile strikes upon Sana'a and announced on November 6 the imposition of a total aerial, ground, and marine blockade on all Yemeni districts governed by the Houthis for an indefinite period. The flight ban now applies to UN humanitarian flights as well," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"We are convinced that this scenario is not in the interests of the earliest and reliable settlement of the Yemen conflict and puts off the prospects of restoration of stability and national accord in this country," it said.