12 dead, 309 injured: US President Trump weighs joining Saudi strikes on Houthis – Asia News Network
Saudi aviation authorities reported 309 injuries, including critical cases, as airlines suspended services and foreign embassies warned travellers to avoid Riyadh’s main airport.
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US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: X/@WHITEHOUSE
October 12, 2026
NEW DELHI – US President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of American military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels after a deadly attack on Saudi Arabia’s main international airport killed 12 people, including a US citizen, and injured 309 others.
The attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, October 10, has heightened tensions across the Middle East, where renewed fighting between Saudi-backed forces and the Iran-aligned Houthis threatens to widen the regional conflict.
Asked whether Washington would join Saudi Arabia’s military operations against the Houthis, Trump told reporters, “We may. We’re going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack. We will make a decision. We move very quickly.”
Trump also described the assault as a terrible incident, while expressing confidence in Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities.
The comments marked a potential shift towards more direct US involvement in the escalating confrontation, although Washington has announced no decision to participate in the Saudi strikes.
American among 12 killed in Riyadh airport attack
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed on Sunday that the attack had claimed 12 lives and left 309 people injured, some critically.
The dead included four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis and one national each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
The aviation authority said the injured were receiving treatment at several hospitals, while officials continued to assess damage to airport infrastructure.
The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Houthis for the attack. The assault was the third targeting Riyadh’s international airport within a week, as hostilities intensified between the rebels and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the killing of civilians and confirmed that an American national was among the victims.
“These reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life. They must stop now,” Rubio said in a post on X.
He reaffirmed Washington’s support for Saudi Arabia and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
Airport shutdown disrupts flights as embassies issue warnings
Saturday’s strike forced authorities to temporarily suspend operations at King Khalid International Airport while emergency teams inspected the facilities and assessed security risks.
Several international airlines cancelled or suspended services to Riyadh, causing disruptions for travellers.
Akasa Air extended the suspension of its Riyadh flights until October 13, while Kuwait Airways cancelled services to and from the Saudi capital following the airport closure.
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia advised American citizens to avoid King Khalid International Airport and nearby areas.
It also warned that passengers could face further flight cancellations, airspace restrictions and disruptions.
US government personnel were required to obtain special authorisation before using airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
British authorities similarly advised their nationals to stay away from the affected airport and follow instructions from Saudi officials.
UN condemns civilian deaths as regional tensions rise
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack and called for an immediate halt to assaults on civilian infrastructure.
“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately,” Guterres said.
The attack also drew condemnation from Egypt, Qatar and Palestine, which expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
Qatar described the strike as a serious violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to regional security and civil aviation.
Egypt denounced the assault as a flagrant violation of international law, while the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates supported Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect its citizens and residents.
The latest attack followed earlier strikes on Saudi aviation facilities as the military confrontation in Yemen intensified.
Saudi-led forces have been carrying out operations against the Houthis, who control significant parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.
The renewed hostilities have increased pressure on Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems and raised concerns about the safety of civilian aviation across the region.
With Trump now considering whether Washington should join the Saudi campaign, the conflict could enter a more dangerous phase if the United States decides to expand its military involvement.
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