Trump Weighs US Role in Saudi Air Campaign After Houthi Strike Kills 12 in Riyadh

Houthi militants fired a missile at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, killing 12 and wounding 309, according to Saudi authorities. The attack, the third on the airport that week, prompted US President Donald Trump to say he is considering joining Saudi Arabia's air campaign against the Houthis. An American citizen was among the dead, and UN officials condemned the strike as a grave escalation.

The missile strike on Riyadh’s main airport was the third such attack that week and the kingdom’s deadliest in more than ten years, Saudi authorities said. Twelve people died, including citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan; 309 were wounded. Flights were halted for inspections, and roughly 580 departures were canceled by Sunday.

As Yemen fighting worsened, the Houthis also claimed attacks on an Aramco refinery at Rabigh, Abha airport, and a base at Khamis Mushait. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye activated the Mecca defense pact in Riyadh to coordinate rapid deployments. Trump said Washington might join Saudi air operations, while UN officials called the airport strike a grave escalation.

Count: First para: The(1) missile2 strike3 on4 Riyadh’s5 main6 airport7 was8 the9 third10 such11 attack12 that13 week14 and15 the16 kingdom’s17 deadliest18 in19 more20 than21 ten22 years23, Saudi24 authorities25 said26. Twelve27 people28 died29, including30 citizens31 of32 Saudi33 Arabia34, Bangladesh35, the36 United37 States38, Egypt39, Jordan40, Syria41, Palestine42, and43 Sudan44; 30945 were46 wounded47. Flights48 were49 halted50 for51 inspections52, and53 roughly54 58055 departures56 were57 canceled58 by59 Sunday60. Second: As1 Yemen2 fighting3 worsened4, the5 Houthis6 also7 claimed8 attacks9 on10 an11 Aramco12 refinery13 at14 Rabigh15, Abha16 airport17, and18 a19 base20 at21 Khamis22 Mushait23. Saudi24 Arabia25, Pakista