The European Union and Gulf states on Thursday postponed a joint summit due to be held in Riyadh on October 24, as sustained attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthis fuel concerns about air travel to and from Saudi Arabia.
The Gulf Cooperation Council cited continued Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and the extended suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport when announcing the postponement. The EU did not specify a reason for the delay, saying only that a new date would be announced "in due course".
Last weekend, 13 people were killed and hundreds wounded in strikes on Riyadh's international airport, in an attack claimed by the Houthis. The airport, where dignitaries had been supposed to land, remains closed after the attacks.
The summit had been intended in part to demonstrate European solidarity with Gulf states and Saudi Arabia amid the war. The postponement underlines how seriously the security situation has deteriorated — and shows that regional tensions are now disrupting high-level diplomacy and international engagement.
The EU said it continued to attach "great strategic importance" to ties with the Gulf region and remained committed to deepening the partnership.