Trump Considers Joining Saudi Strikes After Houthi Airport Attack

President Donald Trump is evaluating whether the United States should join Saudi Arabian military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels following a sharp escalation in regional violence. The decision comes after Houthi forces launched a missile attack on Saturday, October 10, 2026, striking Terminals 3 and 4 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The attack wounded dozens of people, forced mass evacuations, and resulted in the cancellation of nearly 300 flights.

The airport strike follows a series of Houthi assaults this week that killed at least four people and damaged a Saudia aircraft. In response, a Saudi-led coalition launched extensive air and missile strikes across Houthi-held regions of Yemen, targeting Sanaa International Airport and several northern provinces. Simultaneously, Saudi-backed Yemeni forces launched a counteroffensive to retake the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and Perim Island. While Saudi officials claim the strait has been cleared of Houthi forces, Houthi spokesperson Hizam al-Asad denied these claims, asserting that the operations were merely a dress rehearsal.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly running low on missile interceptors and has requested air defense support from France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt. While Turkey has offered defensive support under the Mecca Pact, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan explicitly ruled out participating in offensive operations. Trump stated that the administration is deciding on direct military involvement, noting that the U.S. has already provided intelligence and planning assistance.