Europe: Iran's Proxies Push Region into a Vicious Cycle of Violence

Brussels – Agencies: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the Houthi attack on Riyadh International Airport yesterday as a “serious escalation,” stressing that the Iran-backed Houthis must cease their strikes on civilian targets. Von der Leyen said, “These attacks, carried out by Iran’s proxies, are pushing the region into a vortex of violence. They are destabilizing fundamental transport and energy lines, sending shockwaves across the world. These bloody attacks on civilians must stop immediately.” She expressed her solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

For her part, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, characterized the Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as a “horrific terrorist act,” emphasizing that random attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure cannot be justified in any way. In a post on her X account, Kallas affirmed the EU’s support for Saudi Arabia, offering her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. She noted that she remains in close contact with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. She added that EU foreign ministers would discuss the escalating tensions in the region today, stressing the importance of enhancing coordination between the EU’s maritime operation “Aspides” in the Red Sea and the Saudi-led international maritime defense coalition.