US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering joining Saudi Arabia’s strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels after an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi civil aviation authorities.Asked whether he had decided to join the Saudi strikes, Trump said, “We may. We’re going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack. We will make a decision. We move very quickly.”He added, “Look, the Saudis are good fighters. But I think the attack was a terrible thing.”The attack on Saturday was the deadliest in a Gulf country since the start of the Iran war, as fighting has expanded to include renewed clashes between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen.
US warns citizens against travelling to Riyadh airport
The US Mission in Saudi Arabia issued a security alert on Sunday, urging American citizens to avoid King Khalid International Airport and surrounding areas following the October 10 attacks.It also advised travellers to exercise extreme caution at major Saudi airports and warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. Passengers were advised to check their flight status directly with airlines and airports.The mission said US government employees in Saudi Arabia required special authorisation to use King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as airports in Jeddah and Dammam.The latest attacks are expected to intensify pressure on Saudi Arabia’s allies, including the US, to provide military support as the kingdom steps up its campaign against the Houthis.
Airport attack kills 12, injures over 300
Saudi civil aviation authorities said the dead included four Saudi citizens and nationals of Bangladesh, Palestine, the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan. The injured were being treated at several hospitals, with some in critical condition.A missile struck a complex housing terminals 3 and 4, used for domestic flights, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.The attack was the latest in a series of strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport over the past week. The Houthis had claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on the airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot.The surge in attacks has also targeted other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, following a major military offensive launched against the Houthis by a Saudi-led coalition last week.