An American was among 12 people killed when a missile tore into Riyadh’s main airport, and President Trump says the U.S. may join the fight.
Story Highlights
- Saudi aviation officials say the strike killed 12 people and injured 309, some critically.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed one of the dead was an American; officials have not released the person’s name.
- The Saudi-led coalition blamed the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen and called the attack a war crime.
- Asked whether the U.S. would join Saudi strikes, Trump said, “We may. We’re going to look at it.”
An American Among The Dead
The missile hit the terminal complex at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh’s main airport, on Saturday, October 10. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said 12 people died and 309 were hurt. The dead were four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one person each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Sudan and the Palestinian territories. Rubio condemned the attack, cited the American death, and said the U.S. stands with Saudi Arabia. Officials have not said where the American was from or why the person was at the airport.
BREAKING NEWS 🛑 RIYADH AIRPORT REPORTEDLY HIT AGAIN — TERMINAL 4 ON FIRE
New reports indicate another ballistic missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to initial reports, the projectile struck Terminal 4, triggering a fire that… pic.twitter.com/qeDEOMxyfE
— Republican ✍️ (@Republicn5) October 11, 2026
The coalition blames the Houthis, who say they are striking Saudi Arabia over its support for Yemen’s government in a war there that flared again in July. The missile hit the part of the airport that holds Terminals 3 and 4, according to reports, and one traveler said gate 401 was hit while they waited at gate 403. It was the deadliest attack on Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.
Why The Airport Was Hit
The Houthis are a rebel group backed by Iran that holds much of Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s southern neighbor. The July fighting followed the collapse of a United Nations-brokered ceasefire. On October 4, Yemen’s Saudi-backed government launched an offensive to take back coastline along the Red Sea. The Saudi-led coalition answered with air strikes on Houthi military sites, and the Houthis have kept firing at Saudi cities and airports.
Saturday’s strike was the third on the Riyadh airport in one week. Attacks on October 6 and 7 killed three people at the Riyadh and Abha airports. On Thursday, October 8, the Houthis said they fired two cruise missiles at the Riyadh airport, and three Saudis died, including a Saudia airline captain. A Houthi military spokesman warned that Saudi Arabia “bears responsibility for any failed interceptions.”
Trump Weighs Joining The Fight
Trump called the attack “terrible” and “not acceptable.” Asked by reporters whether he would join Saudi-led strikes, he said, “We may. We’re going to look at it.” He added that the U.S. moves “very quickly” and would make a decision. He spoke before Saudi officials confirmed an American was among the dead, and he planned to speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as the kingdom’s prime minister.
The U.S. already gives Saudi Arabia intelligence, targeting help and planning support against the Houthis. Direct U.S. strikes would be a major step up. Through Sunday, October 11, Trump had not announced a decision.
Saudi Response And Travel Warnings
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said its forces would respond “in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the rules of war that protect civilians. Early Sunday, October 11, the coalition said it shot down a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at al-Kharj, a city southeast of Riyadh, and a drone over the kingdom’s Eastern Province.
Saudi authorities suspended operations at the airport and canceled or diverted flights. Several airlines halted Saudi service. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh urged Americans to stay away from the airport and to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia because of drone and missile threats from Iran and the Houthis.
