Riyadh:European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a warning about the recent Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport, describing it as a "dangerous escalation" and the deadliest attack on the facility to date.

According to Anadolu Agency, von der Leyen expressed her concerns on social media platform X, extending thoughts to the victims and their families while expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia. She emphasized that the attacks are contributing to regional instability and are being carried out by what she described as Iran's proxies.

The attack resulted in the deaths of four Saudis, two Bangladeshi nationals, and one individual each from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan, as reported by the Saudi civil aviation authority. Several others injured in the attack are receiving medical treatment, with some in critical condition.

Operations at the airport were temporarily halted in the aftermath of the assault, causing significant disruption to flights. Passengers have been advised to check with airlines for updates, as Kuwait Airways canceled its Saturday service to Riyadh due to the closure.

Von der Leyen also highlighted the broader implications of such attacks on international transport and energy infrastructure, calling for an immediate end to violence targeting civilians. The attack is part of a series of missile and drone assaults on Saudi facilities, exacerbating tensions in the region.