Houthi attack on Riyadh airport 'appalling act of terror,' EU foreign policy chief says

"The Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport is an appalling act of terror. There can be no justification for indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure," Kallas wrote on US social media platform X.

She voiced solidarity with Saudi Arabia and offered "deepest" condolences to the families of those killed.

Kallas further reaffirmed that the EU foreign minister would discuss the escalating tensions in the region on Monday.

"Enhanced coordination between the EU’s Red Sea naval operation Aspides and the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition is vital," she added.

In the airport attack, four Saudis, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one each from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan were killed, according to the Saudi civil aviation authority.

The injured are being treated at hospitals, with some in critical condition.

The aviation authority said earlier that airport operations were temporarily suspended after the attack, while officials assessed the damage and verified the safety of the airport facilities.

The suspension has disrupted flights, with passengers advised to check with airlines before heading to the airport. Kuwait Airways also canceled Saturday service to Riyadh and return flights, citing the airport’s closure.

The attack came amid heightened tensions following Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and facilities in recent days.