Egypt condemned on Friday a continued escalation of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia after the group claimed new drone attacks on the Gulf country’s southern region.

In an official statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry reiterated its complete rejection of the “cowardly and terrorist hostilities that target civilian areas and civilians in Saudi Arabia”.

“Such hostilities represent a blatant violation to the rules of international law and a direct threat to regional stability and security,” it said, reiterating its firm position of support to the kingdom.

Egypt’s condemnation came a few hours after a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen said it had intercepted six explosive drones fired towards Saudi Arabia.

The coalition said in statements reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Houthis had launched six intercepted drones towards Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait, located near Yemeni borders, since dawn.

The group’s Military Spokesman Yahya Sarea, said posted on Twitter that a total of eight drones have been launched at dawn and in afternoon. He claimed that the drones hit Abha International Airport and King Khaled Air Base.

The launched attacks come after the Houthis said on Thursday that they had fired a missile that struck an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah. There has been no such confirmation by authorities on the attack.ruck an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah. There was not confirmation by authorities on the attack.