The Cooperation Council announces the postponement of the Gulf-European summit in Riyadh due to Houthi attacks

The Gulf Cooperation Council announced, on Thursday, the rescheduling of the Gulf-European summit, which was scheduled to be held in Riyadh on October 24, 2026, to another date to be determined later between the two sides, “in light of the Houthis’ continued attempts to target Saudi Arabia.”

Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said in the statement, “Given the terrorist Houthi militia’s continued attempts to target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its civilian objects, which threatens the security and safety of safe civilians, and in view of the extension of the suspension of operational operations at King Khalid International Airport, and out of concern for the safety of participating delegations, the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council announces the rescheduling of the date of the Gulf-European Summit, scheduled to be held in the city of Riyadh on October 24, 2026 AD, until another date to be agreed upon later between the Gulf side and the European side.”

Jassim Al-Budaiwi stressed the determination of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union to work to create the appropriate conditions for holding the summit, in a way that serves their long-term goals of strengthening and completing the process of cooperation in many aspects between the countries of the two organizations, and in a way that achieves growth and prosperity for their countries and peoples, according to what was stated in the statement.

The Houthis in Yemen have intensified their attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh over the past few days, and on many civilian targets in the Kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced the downing of a missile in the Medina region, according to what coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said on Thursday.

The coalition spokesman said: “Intercepting and destroying a winged (cruise) missile in the Medina area.”

The coalition announced later, Thursday, "the interception and destruction of a drone in the eastern region."

This escalation comes in light of the intensification of fighting between the forces of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthi group, supported by Iran.