Fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia raise risk of regional war
A new projectile near Riyadh airport and US hesitation over joining in make the escalation less predictable.
Follow-up to: A projectile also lands near Dammam airport Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:27
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A passenger terminal at Riyadh International Airport was hit again on Sunday. The attack follows a deadly strike the previous day and a series of attacks extending the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement beyond Yemen.
The Saudi-led coalition said on Sunday that a projectile had hit Terminal 4 at King Khalid International Airport and caused a fire. Saudi Arabia’s aviation authority said there were casualties but gave no final number. Reuters reported that a cruise missile near Riyadh and a drone in the eastern province had also been intercepted.
According to Saudi authorities, at least thirteen people were killed and more than three hundred injured in a strike on the same airport complex the previous day. The airport remained closed on Sunday. The initial official death toll of twelve was later raised after the Indian embassy reported that an injured Indian national had died.
The Houthis say they were responsible for the attack on Riyadh and for attacks on Dammam airport and facilities belonging to oil company Saudi Aramco. Those claims have not been independently verified. Saudi Arabia and the coalition say the attacks are part of a broader campaign against civilian aviation and energy infrastructure.
According to Reuters, the immediate trigger lies in the recent expansion of the fighting in Yemen. Saudi Arabia supports the internationally recognised government there, while the Houthi movement has come under pressure from a Saudi counter-offensive after making territorial gains along the Red Sea. The Houthi movement says Saudi Arabia has carried out 124 air strikes in the past 24 hours; that figure, too, could not be independently verified.
The conflict therefore touches on more than the war in Yemen. The attacks threaten air links, business travel and potentially oil facilities in a region already under strain from the wider war between Iran, the United States and Israel. An international energy conference in Riyadh went ahead on Sunday, but the airport closure made it harder for foreign participants to leave.
President Donald Trump has said that the United States is considering joining Saudi attacks on the Houthis. A decision could alter the balance of power, but also increase the likelihood of further retaliatory action. For now, it is unclear whether Riyadh will opt for a limited response or a larger military campaign in Yemen.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Saudi Arabia is conducting military operations against the Houthis in Yemen.
- The Houthis claim recent attacks on Saudi airports.
- According to AP and Reuters, the United States is considering joining Saudi attacks.
Left
Arguments The priority should be to halt the military escalation and protect civilians. US involvement would further internationalise a regional conflict.
Values International law, civilian protection and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences More military attacks could deepen the humanitarian crisis and instability in Yemen.
Centre
Arguments Saudi Arabia has the right to protect its population and infrastructure, but any response should be proportionate and diplomatically limited.
Values Security, the rule of law and containing the risk of escalation.
Consequences A limited response could provide deterrence; a broad campaign could instead provoke new attacks.
Right
Arguments Attacks on civilian airports require a credible military response. Without pressure, the Houthis will, according to this line of reasoning, expand their attacks.
Values National security, deterrence and support for allies.
Consequences A forceful response could strengthen Saudi security, but would also bring greater US involvement and regional retaliation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts about the new attack, the earlier deadly strike and possible US involvement are confirmed by AP and Reuters. Non-verifiable Houthi claims are clearly presented as such.
- confirmed A terminal at Riyadh airport was hit on Sunday and people were injured. — Reported by the Saudi coalition and aviation authority; Reuters and AP describe the same incident. source
- confirmed Thirteen people were killed and more than three hundred injured in Saturday’s attack. — AP and Reuters report the later increase in the death toll from twelve to thirteen. source
- confirmed The Houthis claim the attacks on Riyadh and Dammam. — Reuters reports the claim, but not that it has been independently verified. source
- confirmed Saudi Arabia supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government and is conducting a counter-offensive. — Reuters describes Saudi support and the recent military campaign. source
- confirmed Trump is considering US involvement in Saudi attacks. — AP and Reuters report the statement, with no decision having been made. source
Editor's note
The new attack near Riyadh, Saturday’s deadly strike and the Saudi and Houthi responses were reported by multiple sources. Claims about the number of air strikes and responsibility have been attributed as unverified assertions.Sources
- Saudi airport passenger terminal is struck again, a day after 12 were killed — Associated Press
- Saudi Arabia reports injuries in new attack at Riyadh airport — Reuters via MarketScreener
- Projectile lands near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam — Saudi Gazette
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 13:42 Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport kill three
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 05:43 Saudi Arabia launches offensive against Houthis
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 18:48 Riyadh Airport attacked again, flights cancelled
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 23:45 More wounded in attack on Riyadh airport
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 05:44 New attack on Riyadh airport claims twelve lives
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 12:46 Riyadh keeps airport closed after deadly attack
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 15:58 Report: child killed after Saudi strike on Sanaa
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 16:28 Trump considers US role in Saudi attacks
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 18:04 Projectile hits passenger terminal in Riyadh again
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:27 A projectile also lands near Dammam airport
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 23:27 Fresh attacks on Saudi Arabia raise risk of regional war (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „saudi-arabië jemen”
- NOS — „saudi-arabië jemen”
- Het Parool — „saudi-arabië jemen”