UN, EU leaders voice shock at Houthi attack on Saudi airport, warn against escalation

United Nations and European Union leaders voiced shock on Sunday at an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia, and warned against an escalation in the conflict.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was deeply shocked by Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed 12 people and wounded more than 300, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities. He said such attacks must stop immediately.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a dangerous escalation and said the Iran-backed group must halt strikes on civilian targets, adding that the EU stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned the attack as a terrorist act against Saudi Arabia and civil aviation. France, Pakistan and Russia also condemned it. The US, UK, Germany and Spain warned their citizens to avoid the airport, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that an American was among the dead.

A Houthi official appeared to acknowledge responsibility on social media. A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition vowed to respond decisively.

Sources: Al Arabiya, Arab News, Daily Sabah, CNN, Euronews, Iran International.