Houthi Missile Strike on Riyadh Airport Kills 13 People
Houthi rebels killed 13 people in a missile strike on Riyadh's international airport, prompting Saudi Arabia to urge U.S. military intervention.
A Houthi cruise missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The attack is the deadliest strike on Saudi Arabia in over a decade and part of a broader campaign targeting airports and Aramco facilities. These strikes have contributed to Brent crude prices rising above $100 a barrel.
Donald Trump has remained non-committal regarding requests from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to launch U.S. airstrikes against the Iran-allied Houthis. Despite Saudi Arabia pledging up to $1 trillion in U.S. investments and purchasing F-35 stealth fighter jets, the Trump administration has hesitated due to domestic opposition to regional wars and concerns over inflation ahead of midterm elections. President Trump stated the administration would review the attack before making a decision.
International responses include the deployment of French troops and air defense systems for defensive purposes, adding to a Patriot battery provided by Greece in 2021. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack as a violation of international law, while Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Wasil urged the UN Security Council to enforce the arms embargo against the Houthis to stop further missile shipments.
