Report: child killed after Saudi strike on Sanaa
Houthi-aligned Ministry of Health reports one dead and six injured; Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the attack.
There is news on this story (Sunday, 11 October 2026, 16:28): Trump considers US role in Saudi attacks
Follow-up to: Saudi Arabia launches offensive against Houthis Saturday, 10 October 2026, 05:43
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A child was killed in an apparent Saudi air strike on a house in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, according to the Houthi-aligned Ministry of Health. The ministry also reported six people injured, while Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm the attack on Sunday.
The report comes as fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis is rapidly escalating. The Houthi-aligned ministry provided no independent substantiation of the death toll. The Associated Press was unable to independently verify the report and wrote that Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond.
The report is a new development following the Saudi offensive against the Houthis and Yemen’s internationally recognised government. According to parties involved, the warring sides are trying in that offensive to retake territory around the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait. The UN has long warned of further escalation in the region.
Saudi Arabia kept Riyadh’s international airport closed on Sunday and temporarily moved schooling in the capital online. This happened a day after an attack on King Khalid International Airport reportedly killed twelve people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi aviation authorities.
The United Nations condemned the attack on the airport and said that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure were contrary to international law. The Houthis have previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi airports and oil infrastructure, but according to AP it had not been immediately stated that they were responsible for Saturday’s attack.
The combination of air strikes in Yemen and missile or drone attacks in Saudi Arabia increases the pressure on civil aviation and regional transport. The oil trade could also be affected if the fighting spreads to infrastructure or shipping around the Red Sea. These are risks, not established consequences of the attack on Sanaa.
The political space for mediation is therefore shrinking. Saudi Arabia will want to respond to attacks on its territory while protecting its airport and other vital infrastructure. The Houthis present their attacks as retaliation and are trying to use them to put pressure on Riyadh and its allies.
For now, it remains unclear exactly what was hit in Sanaa, who carried out the attack and whether there were further casualties. The new report should therefore be read as a statement by a party to the conflict, not as an independently established account of the facts.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Houthi-aligned ministry reported that a child was killed and six people injured after an apparent Saudi attack on Sanaa.
- Saudi Arabia kept Riyadh’s airport closed and moved schools in the capital online.
- An attack on the airport killed twelve people and injured more than 300, according to Saudi authorities.
- The UN condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Left
Arguments Priority should be given to an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access and limiting military support that could put civilians in further danger. Retaliation by both sides mainly increases the harm suffered by people who have no influence over the power struggle.
Values International law, protection of civilians and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences A military counter-response could widen the war, threaten shipping and create new refugee flows.
Centre
Arguments Saudi Arabia has the right to protect its population and civilian infrastructure, but it must respond to attacks proportionately and in a verifiable manner. At the same time, verification, diplomatic channels and international mediation are needed because facts from conflict zones are difficult to establish independently.
Values The rule of law, security, proportionality and institutional oversight.
Consequences A combination of limited defence and diplomacy could curb escalation, but it requires cooperation from actors who currently distrust one another.
Right
Arguments The attacks on Riyadh show that the Houthis pose a direct threat to civilians, aviation and energy infrastructure. From this perspective, Saudi Arabia should be given sufficient military latitude to eliminate the threat, and allies should make clear that attacks on civilian targets have consequences.
Values National security, deterrence and protection of vital infrastructure.
Consequences A robust response could prevent further attacks, but it also increases the risk of a prolonged regional war and civilian harm in Yemen.
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 reporting clearly distinguishes between reported and independently confirmed facts. The context concerning the airport and the UN condemnation is supported by multiple public sources.
- confirmed The Houthi-aligned ministry reported that a child was killed and six people injured after an apparent Saudi air strike on Sanaa. — AP reported this claim and noted that Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond. source
- confirmed Saudi Arabia kept Riyadh’s airport closed and moved schools in the capital online. — AP described both measures on Sunday 11 October. source
- confirmed The attack on King Khalid International Airport killed twelve people and injured more than 300. — AP referred to Saudi aviation authorities; the UN confirmed twelve deaths and hundreds of injuries. source
- confirmed The UN condemned attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. — This appears in the secretary-general’s statement. source
Editor's note
The report by the Houthi-aligned ministry, the closure of the airport and the move to online schooling in Riyadh are certain. The attack on the house in Sanaa, the circumstances and the reported death toll have not been independently confirmed.Sources
- Saudi Arabia extends airport closure and moves Riyadh schools online after deadly strike — Associated Press
- Statement by the Secretary-General – on the attack on Riyadh — United Nations
- اعتداءان يستهدفان مرافق مطار الملك خالد الدولي وطائرة تابعة للخطوط السعودية — Saudi Press Agency
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 (this article)
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 16:28 Trump considers US role in Saudi attacks
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „saudi-arabië jemen”
- AD — „saudi-arabië jemen”
- de Volkskrant — „saudi-arabië jemen”