Missile strike on Riyadh airport kills 12 and wounds more than 300; Trump weighs joining strikes on the Houthis
Saudi aviation authorities said Saturday's attack on King Khalid International Airport was the deadliest in any Gulf Arab country since the Iran war began; a US citizen was among the dead.
A missile struck the domestic-flight terminal complex (terminals 3 and 4) at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, 10 October. Saudi civil aviation authorities said early Sunday that 12 people were killed and more than 300 injured, some critically, AP reported. A US citizen was among the dead.
AP called it the deadliest attack in any Gulf Arab country since the start of the Iran war. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis had claimed earlier attacks on the airport this week that killed three Saudis, including a pilot, and damaged three planes; there was no immediate claim for Saturday’s strike.
Escalation in Yemen
The attacks follow a major offensive launched about a week ago by the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis, who had made gains along the Red Sea coast. The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa airport on Saturday.
Asked whether the US would join Saudi strikes, President Donald Trump said: “We may. We’re going to look at it.”
Flights disrupted
Airport operations were suspended; FlightAware counted at least 291 cancellations in 24 hours, and the US, UK, Germany, Australia and Canada told citizens to avoid the airport. Air India, flydubai, Lufthansa Group and PIA had already suspended some Saudi flights.
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