Houthi Missile Strikes Kill 14 at Riyadh Airport
Houthi rebels launched deadly missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 14 people and prompting President Donald Trump to consider joining Saudi military strikes.
The Houthi rebels launched a series of missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabian aviation and energy infrastructure between October 6 and 12, 2026. The most severe strike occurred on October 10 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing 12 to 13 people—including citizens of Saudi Arabia, the United States, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan—and injuring over 300. A subsequent attack on Sunday killed one person and ignited a fire at the same facility. Total casualties from the week's strikes reached 18, with additional targets including King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco facilities.
In response, the Government of Saudi Arabia suspended operations at the Riyadh airport until October 17 and launched a formal investigation into air defense failures. The Saudi-led coalition characterized the attacks as a full-fledged war crime and intensified its military offensive in Yemen, known as Operation Dawn of Yemen, targeting Sanaa and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. The coalition reported neutralizing over 1,400 Houthi fighters during the campaign.
President Donald Trump condemned the attacks as not acceptable and stated the United States is considering joining Saudi military strikes against the Houthis. Meanwhile, the Regional Four—comprising Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Türkiye—issued a joint statement condemning the assaults as a violation of international law. Iran expressed concern over the escalation and offered to facilitate dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, while the United Nations and European Union warned that the violence marks a dangerous escalation that destabilizes global transport and energy nodes.
