EU and Gulf States Postpone Riyadh Summit After Houthi Attacks

The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council postponed a joint summit scheduled for October 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following sustained attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis. The delay follows a Houthi strike last weekend that killed 13 people and wounded hundreds, resulting in the extended closure of King Khalid International Airport.

The Gulf Cooperation Council cited these continued security threats and the airport closure as the primary reasons for the postponement. While the European Union did not specify a reason for the delay, it reaffirmed the "great strategic importance" of its partnership with the Gulf region and expressed commitment to maintaining the momentum established during the inaugural summit in October 2024.

The summit was intended to demonstrate European solidarity with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states amid the escalating war. Its postponement represents a setback for Saudi Arabia's efforts to host global events during the conflict. A new date for the meeting has not yet been determined and will be announced in due course.