The European Union on Thursday strongly condemned the Houthi military campaign in Yemen and recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including an alleged strike directed toward Mecca.
EU Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the bloc expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and stressed that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure were unacceptable.
The EU warned that continued Houthi attacks could reduce the chances of reaching a peaceful, non-military settlement to the conflict in Yemen while creating additional risks for regional security.
The bloc called on the Houthis to end their military operations and said it would continue cooperating with the United Nations, regional partners and the wider international community to support de-escalation and work toward a comprehensive and lasting peace in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia said earlier this week that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a drone allegedly launched by the Houthi group toward Mecca before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis denied involvement in the incident.
Saudi Arabia has experienced several missile and drone attacks in recent days that have been attributed to the Houthis amid heightened military tensions in the region.
Meanwhile, fighting between Yemen’s government forces and the Houthis has intensified since early July.
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