JEDDAH: The United States on Monday said it "strongly condemned" a Houthi drone attack that damaged a school in Saudi Arabia.

The explosives-laden drone was launched across the border from Yemen and crashed into a school in Asir region, Saudi Civil Defense said on Sunday.

"Such attacks threaten civilians, including school children," the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs said on Monday. "We join other nations in condemning the attack and call on the Houthis to commit to a lasting ceasefire."

Earlier, the French Ambassador to the Kingdom described the Houthi attack as "brutal and outrageous."
In a message posted on Twitter, Ludovic Pouille wrote: “Scandalized by the fall of a drone (loaded) with explosives launched by the Houthis on a school in (Asir).
“In the name of the French Embassy in Riyadh I very strongly condemn this unacceptable (cowardly) attack on a civilian place dedicated to knowledge and education.”

The comments follow condemnation from the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and the Arab Parliament.

Youssef Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said the Houthi activities constitute war crimes.

Saleh Al-Tuwaijri, secretary-general of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization, said: “This is a blatant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law and related international conventions, as it threatens and terrorizes civilian lives.”

The attack comes as the Iran-backed militia continue to attack Saudi Arabia with drones.

The Arab coalition said on Monday that  Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched towards Khamis Mushait.