Saudi airport attack kills at least 12, coalition blames Houthi rebels

The Saudi-led coalition says the Houthi movement is responsible for the deadliest airport attack in a decade, while US officials consider a response.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 11 Oct 2026 23:16:23 GMT

At least 12 people were killed in a missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, and the Saudi‑led coalition has blamed Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi movement for the attack, according to Al Jazeera and NBC News.

What happened

The strike hit the airport on Saturday, killing a dozen people and wounding more than 300, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities cited by NBC News. Al Jazeera reported that the Saudi coalition described the attack as a “full‑fledged war crime.” A second, unidentified projectile struck the airport on Sunday, prompting the General Authority of Civil Aviation to confirm additional injuries while assessing damage.

What the reports add

Al Jazeera noted that the Houthi group has not claimed responsibility, but the coalition’s statement directly blamed the rebels. NBC News added that President Donald Trump said the United States was “considering joining Saudi military operations” against the Houthi rebels. The two outlets differ on the death toll: Al Jazeera cites 12 fatalities, while NBC News reports 13 deaths.

What was said

Al Jazeera quoted the Saudi‑led coalition as calling the strike a “full‑fledged war crime.” NBC News quoted President Trump saying, “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.”

How it came about

The attack follows a series of Houthi‑linked strikes on Saudi airports. On October 7, three foreign nationals were killed in attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports, as reported in Felo’s earlier coverage. A missile strike on Riyadh was intercepted near the same airport on September 20, and the airport was briefly reopened after a later attack on October 9. The latest strike occurs amid the collapse of a UN‑brokered ceasefire that had held since 2022, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.

Key facts

At least 12 people were killed in the missile strike on King Khalid International Airport. (aljazeera.com)
More than 300 people were injured in the attack, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities. (nbcnews.com)
The Saudi‑led coalition blamed Iran‑backed Houthi rebels for the attack. (aljazeera.com)
US President Donald Trump said the United States was considering joining Saudi operations against the Houthis. (nbcnews.com)