Trump considers US role in Saudi attacks
No decision has yet been made after an attack on Riyadh airport increased pressure on Washington.
Follow-up to: More wounded in attack on Riyadh airport Saturday, 10 October 2026, 23:45
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President Donald Trump says the United States is considering joining Saudi attacks on the Houthis in Yemen. He has not yet made a decision. The statement follows a new attack on Riyadh International Airport, in which Saudi authorities say twelve people were killed and more than three hundred injured.
Trump said on Saturday that his administration was examining whether US forces should directly support the Saudi campaign against the Houthis. According to the Associated Press, it is not yet clear what form that support would take. It could involve attacks, but also other military assistance. Washington has announced no final decision.
The statement is a new development following the attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia kept the airport closed on Sunday and temporarily moved lessons in the capital online. Saudi authorities attributed the attack to the Houthis; the movement has previously claimed attacks on Saudi airports and oil installations.
The Houthis reported on Sunday via an affiliated broadcaster that Sanaa airport had also been hit again. They pointed to Saudi Arabia, but according to AP provided no independent corroboration. Saudi authorities did not initially respond to the accusation. Responsibility for that specific attack therefore remains unclear.
US involvement could further extend the conflict beyond Yemen. The Houthis control parts of the Red Sea coast and have threatened to disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It is an important link between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. AP describes disruption to that route and the oil flow as possible consequences, not as a certain outcome.
The fighting has intensified over the past week after Saudi and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces launched an offensive against the Houthis. The Houthis are generally described as backed by Iran, but both their military capabilities and Iran’s precise role in these attacks are the subject of reporting and political debate.
For now, then, the American role remains uncertain. Trump said he could make a decision quickly, but did not say when that would happen or what conditions would apply. European and Arab governments have condemned the attack on Riyadh. A US move would further deepen Washington’s military involvement in the region.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Trump has said that the United States is considering taking part in Saudi attacks.
- No US decision on direct involvement has yet been made.
- Saudi Arabia and the Houthis accuse each other of attacks.
- The fighting affects a region with important shipping and energy routes.
Left
Arguments The United States should not become further involved in a regional war without a clear mandate and a convincing plan to protect civilians. Military support could increase escalation and make diplomatic solutions more difficult.
Values International law, restraint in the use of military force and the protection of civilians.
Consequences Direct involvement could lead to more attacks, greater humanitarian harm and further instability around the Red Sea.
Centre
Arguments Washington should help its ally Saudi Arabia defend itself, but limit direct attacks to a clearly defined objective while keeping diplomatic channels open.
Values Reliability towards allies, proportionality and institutional oversight.
Consequences Limited support could provide deterrence, but the risk would remain that the United States is gradually drawn deeper into the conflict.
Right
Arguments An attack on an important ally and on international infrastructure calls for a credible military response. On this view, failing to intervene could signal to adversaries that American security interests will not be defended.
Values National security, deterrence and support for allies.
Consequences A forceful response could deter attacks, but could also provoke retaliation against American targets and shipping.
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 article’s central claims are confirmed by AP and described independently by Al Jazeera. Allegations concerning the attack on Sanaa are explicitly attributed as unconfirmed claims.
- confirmed Trump is considering whether the United States will support Saudi attacks on the Houthis. — AP quotes Trump as saying he is examining this; no decision had yet been made. source
- confirmed According to Saudi authorities, twelve people were killed and more than three hundred injured in the attack on Riyadh airport. — AP reports these figures as a statement by Saudi authorities. source
- confirmed Riyadh airport remained closed on Sunday and schools in the capital temporarily moved online. — AP describes both measures. source
- confirmed The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out a new attack on Sanaa airport. — AP reports the accusation and says that no details or independent confirmation were provided. source
Editor's note
The US consideration and the airport closure have been confirmed. Responsibility for the reported attack on Sanaa has not been independently established.Sources
- Houthis report another strike on Sanaa’s airport, accusing Saudi Arabia — Associated Press
- Yemen fighting expands as Houthis attack Saudi airport — Al Jazeera
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 (this article)