RismadarVoice Reporters
October 11, 2026
At least 12 people have reportedly been killed and 309 others injured in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, raising concerns about a wider military confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s Houthi movement and the United States.
Saudi authorities attributed Saturday’s attack to the Houthis, although the group had not immediately claimed responsibility.
According to Saudi civil aviation officials, those killed included four Saudi nationals, an American, two Bangladeshis and nationals of Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Sudan.
Several injured people were reportedly in critical condition, while airport operations remained suspended on Sunday as authorities assessed the damage and security situation.
The incident followed an earlier reported attack on the airport on Thursday that killed three people.
US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering whether to participate in Saudi military operations against the Houthis.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump indicated that his administration would assess the situation before deciding on possible military action.
The United States has previously conducted air operations against Houthi positions in Yemen, particularly in response to attacks threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia and its regional allies have condemned the latest strike, describing attacks on civilian aviation infrastructure as a serious threat to regional security.
Egypt expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, while Qatar condemned the attack as a violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty.
Germany and Canada also criticised the assault, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemning the violence.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres attributed responsibility to the Houthis and warned against attacks affecting civilian infrastructure.
The Saudi-led coalition involved in Yemen described the incident as a war crime and indicated that a response would follow.
Meanwhile, international relations professor Fawaz Gerges questioned whether renewed military operations could deliver a lasting solution to the conflict.
He suggested that Saudi Arabia could seek assistance from regional and international partners but warned that further escalation might deepen instability.
Political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla also suggested that international assistance could strengthen Saudi Arabia’s air defences without necessarily requiring a wider military campaign.
The reported attack comes amid renewed hostilities in Yemen and wider regional tensions involving Iran.
Security concerns have also increased around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, an important maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Further disruption to shipping and aviation could affect regional commerce and international supply chains.
The Houthis’ responsibility for the airport strike, the final casualty figures and the scope of any proposed American military involvement remain matters requiring independent confirmation.
