Houthi Missile Strikes Kill 14 at Riyadh Airport
Houthi rebels launched deadly missile attacks on Saudi airports, killing at least 14 people and prompting Donald Trump to consider joining military strikes against the group.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched a series of missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabian aviation infrastructure between October 6 and 12, 2026. The most severe assault occurred on October 10 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, where missiles struck domestic terminals 3 and 4, killing 12 to 13 people and injuring over 300. A subsequent strike on Sunday killed one additional person and ignited a fire in Terminal 4. Victims included Saudi citizens and nationals from the United States, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Sudan.
The attacks forced the temporary suspension of operations at the Riyadh hub, leading to the cancellation of over 1,000 flights and prompting several international carriers to halt services. The escalation coincides with a major Saudi-backed Yemeni government counter-offensive, Operation Dawn of Yemen, aimed at recapturing Sanaa and the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait. In retaliation, Saudi forces launched airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport.
President Donald Trump condemned the attacks as "not acceptable" and stated the United States is evaluating whether to join Saudi military strikes against the rebels. Meanwhile, the Saudi government is investigating air defense failures, with initial findings suggesting drones were used to clear paths for maneuverable cruise missiles. Despite the security crisis, Saudi officials confirmed that the World Petroleum Congress and the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh will proceed, with Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman asserting that "fear has no place in the Saudi lexicon."
