The Saudi-led coalition has vowed a decisive response against Houthi rebels following a missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, October 10, 2026, that killed 12 people. A second attack on the same facility Sunday left one person dead and 11 injured, further escalating the regional conflict as the U.S. considers potential military involvement.
Casualties and Damage at King Khalid International Airport
The weekend strikes on Riyadh’s primary international hub represent the deadliest assault on Saudi soil in over a decade. According to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saturday’s missile attack resulted in 12 deaths and left 309 people wounded, some in critical condition. The fatalities included one American citizen, along with nationals from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. A subsequent projectile strike on Sunday killed a Pakistani national and injured 11 others, causing a fire in Terminal 4. The facility has been largely paralyzed, with FlightAware data showing at least 225 flights canceled over a 24-hour period. Airlines including Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group, and Pakistan International Airlines have suspended operations to and from Saudi airports. Saudi civil aviation authorities confirmed that airport operations were suspended following the strikes, while U.S. government personnel were required to obtain special authorization before using airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam. British authorities similarly advised their nationals to stay away from the affected airport and follow instructions from Saudi officials.
Houthi Claims and Warnings to Travelers
The Houthi rebels, an Iran-aligned group currently controlling significant portions of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, have claimed responsibility for the operations. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the group’s military spokesperson, stated on X that airports in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were exempt from their attacks. However, the group explicitly warned that other Saudi airports and airspace are now considered a theater of operations for their forces.
“We renew our warning to all airlines, experts, employees, workers and travelers against using Saudi airports and airspace, as they are vulnerable to attack and have become a theater of operations for our forces.”
Yahya Saree, military spokesperson for the Houthis
The Houthis have maintained that they are only targeting Saudi infrastructure as part of a blockade in retaliation for the one imposed upon them. The group also claimed to have targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. In the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa, the rebel-run health ministry claimed that 91 Yemenis have been killed by the Saudi-led coalition in the past five weeks, asserting that 60% of those casualties were women and children. The Houthis further alleged that Saudi warplanes launched 124 airstrikes within a 24-hour period.
President Trump and the Potential for U.S. Military Escalation
When asked if Saudi Arabia could defend itself, Trump stated, They're able to defend. The Saudis are good fighters. But I think the attack was a terrible thing.
“We may. We’re gonna look at it. We just found out about the recent attack. So we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly.”
President Donald Trump
Saudi Coalition Vows Response After Houthi Airport Strikes
The current violence marks a sharp deterioration from the relative calm following a 2022 ceasefire. The conflict, which began in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition intervened to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government, has intensified as the Houthis attempt to disrupt shipping corridors and infrastructure. The Saudi-led coalition has characterized the airport strikes as a full-fledged war crime,
vowing that the joint forces command will respond decisively in accordance with customary international humanitarian law.
Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, confirmed that the coalition is working to assess the damage. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has sought support from partners across the world to counter the group. France, Britain, and Pakistan have committed support, while other allies like Turkey are considering sending help. Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also reportedly turned to Syria for help as the kingdom faces a shortage of missile interceptors.
