Oman has condemned as “unacceptable” an airstrike by Saudi Arabia on the residence of its ambassador to Sana’a, as Riyadh continues its military aggression against Yemen.

“We would like to inform you about our strong protest against the aircraft of the Arab alliance targeting the residence of the ambassador of Oman in Sana’a, destroying the building and causing heavy damage therein,” the Sultanate of Oman said in a letter of protest which was handed to Eid bin Mohammed Al Thaqafi, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Muscat, after summoning him to the Yemeni Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia bombarded the residence of the Omani envoy to Sana’a, Bader al Mantheri, late on Friday, seriously damaging the building and nearby houses in the al-Sabin district. The ambassador survived the attack.

“While we object to this action against Oman, we demand an explanation from the Kingdom about this unacceptable conduct which harms the interests of the Sultanate in Sana’a,” the letter added.

'Threat to regional security'

The letter further noted that the airstrike is an explicit violation of international norms and conventions.

Oman “considers the continuation of this war, for an unforeseeable time, a threat to the region’s stability,” said the protest letter, adding, “The Sultanate looks forward to the exertion of more efforts in Yemen with a view to ending the current conditions and encouraging the Yemeni parties to resort to dialogue and achieve stability in their country.”

The Omani Foreign Ministry has separately condemned the attack, calling on the international community, particularly the United Nations,  to take proper measures to end the crisis in Yemen.

“Oman received with deep regret yesterday's news targeting the ambassador's home in Sana’a, which is a clear violation of international charters and norms that emphasize the inviolability of diplomatic premises,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.

Saudi Arabia began its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 – without a UN mandate – in a bid to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement and restore power to the fugitive former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh.

Some reports say the conflict has so far left about 5,200 people dead and thousands of others wounded.