Riyadh Airport Attacked Again: Trump Considers Joining Saudi Attacks on Houthis | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (Oct 10) that he was considering whether Washington should join Saudi Arabia’s military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen after another attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport prompted an evacuation and suspension of airport operations.
“We can. We’ll look at it,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about possible US intervention. “We just found out about the recent attack, so we’ll make a decision. We’re moving very quickly.”
The latest attack came at a time of escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, as the Saudi-led coalition stepped up a military offensive in neighboring Yemen. An airport in the Saudi capital has been repeatedly attacked over the past week, raising concerns about civil aviation security and the potential for a wider regional conflict.
Riyadh airport attacked again, operation suspended
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The missile reportedly hit the complex enclosure of Terminals 3 and 4, prompting an evacuation. Regional officials said several people were injured and airport operations were suspended while damage was assessed.
Flights bound for the airport were diverted and air traffic ground to a halt during the suspension. Passengers were advised to check flight status with their airline before travelling.
The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Saturday’s attack. The group claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on the airport during the week.
The attacks came amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis following a major Saudi-led coalition offensive in Yemen. The articles did not confirm who was responsible for the latest incident.
President Donald Trump said the US was considering whether to join the strikes, but no decision or additional military support had been announced at the time of reporting.
Two regional officials told the Associated Press that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again on Saturday and evacuated. One official said the missile hit the terminal 3 and 4 complex, which serves domestic flights, and that several people were injured.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Saudi civil aviation authorities suspended airport operations while the extent of damage and injuries were assessed. An official notice to airmen said the suspension would be in effect until midnight.
One of the officials said air traffic to the airport had stopped. According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, flights were diverted to other locations, while the airport urged passengers to check flight status with airlines before travelling.
Insurgents claimed responsibility for earlier attacks during the week, including one on Wednesday. The Houthis also blamed Saudi Arabia for Saturday’s strike on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport.
The Saudi government-run Center for International Communications did not immediately respond to a request for comment, the AP reported.
Read also | The Houthis are bombing Saudi air links in an attempt to cut off the kingdom from the rest of the world
Trump signals possible US intervention
Trump’s remarks suggest Washington is weighing whether to expand its involvement as Saudi Arabia faces a series of attacks on airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure.
However, there was no immediate announcement of further US military support in response to the latest incident.
A Saudi-led coalition launched a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen over the past week, providing air support to forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government as they seek to reverse recent gains by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
The Houthis’ advances have raised concerns about their ability to monitor shipping along the strategically important maritime corridor, which offers an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, where ships have also come under attack during the wider Iran war.
The United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada were among the countries that warned their citizens to avoid Riyadh airport.
Saudi Arabia requests air defense support due to concerns about interceptors
Saudi Arabia has asked for help from the US and other allies as attacks on its air facilities, military sites and energy infrastructure have intensified.
Regional officials told The Associated Press last month that the kingdom was running out of missile fighters and asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to provide air defense support.
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