King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was attacked again on Sunday, 11 October, killing a Pakistani national and injuring 11 people, Saudi authorities said. It followed Saturday’s attack, whose reported death toll has risen to 13.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation initially reported 12 deaths and 309 injuries from the Saturday, 10 October, strike.
The Associated Press subsequently reported that an Indian national died on Sunday from injuries sustained in Saturday’s attack, bringing the reported toll to 13. The Houthis claimed responsibility for both weekend attacks.
The initially reported dead included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis and one person each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Another attack on the passenger terminal
The Saudi-led coalition said a projectile struck a passenger terminal on Sunday. It also said its forces intercepted and destroyed a separate cruise missile near the airport.
The attacks followed earlier strikes during the same week. Saudi authorities reported three deaths and 36 injuries across attacks on Abha and Riyadh airports on Tuesday and Wednesday, 6 and 7 October.
Authorities also reported that attacks on Riyadh airport on Thursday, 8 October, killed three Saudi nationals.
UN condemns Saturday’s strike
In a statement issued on Sunday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Saturday’s attack. He said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international law.
The Saudi-led coalition described Saturday’s strike as a “fully-fledged war crime” and pledged a response. That description is the coalition’s position, rather than a court ruling.
Trump considers joining Saudi strikes
Reuters reported that President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington might join Saudi strikes against the Houthis.
“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump told reporters when asked about possible US involvement.
His remarks did not announce an order to begin a new operation.
The United States has previously carried out direct strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. US Central Command records, for example, document an operation launched on 15 March 2025.
The current question is whether Washington will join the latest Saudi campaign. That would be a separate decision from its earlier operations against the Houthis.
Trivane View
The civilian toll makes this a serious development. The next key question is whether Washington announces a military decision, including its aim and scope. Considering action is different from ordering it.
