United Nations and European Union leaders have condemned an attack attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Riyadh’s international airport in Saudi Arabia, warning that the incident could deepen regional instability.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” by Saturday’s attack, which aviation authorities said killed 12 people and injured more than 300.
“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately,” Guterres said in a statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the incident as a “dangerous escalation” and called on the Iran-backed Houthis to stop attacks on civilian targets.
She warned that strikes by Iran’s regional allies were fuelling violence and threatening critical transport and energy infrastructure, with consequences extending beyond the region. Von der Leyen also expressed the EU’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned the attack as “a terrorist act against Saudi Arabia and civil aviation” and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting also denounced the strikes, describing them as “contemptible” and a “dangerous escalation.”
The attack reportedly triggered an evacuation of parts of Riyadh’s international airport after an explosion left several people injured, according to eyewitnesses and people briefed on the incident.
One eyewitness said they saw the explosion and later found several injured people on the ground inside the airport.
The Associated Press
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