Saudi airport attack updates: 12 dead in Riyadh, Trump says US may join strikes on Houthis

At least 12 people lost their lives and 300 were wounded in a bombing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority in Saudi Arabia. Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, marking a significant escalation in their campaign against Saudi Arabia. The victims included four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan.

The attack came without any prior warning, as Saudi Arabia's threat alert system failed to notify authorities. Two earlier attacks on the same airport this week resulted in four fatalities and extensive damage to a Saudi passenger plane. Hospitals were overwhelmed with the wounded, who arrived via ambulance and helicopter, with some in critical condition.

All flights to Riyadh, a city of approximately 8 million inhabitants, were either diverted or canceled, and the airport ceased operations. US President Donald Trump was questioned outside the White House regarding the US involvement in strikes on the Houthis. He stated that they would "look at it," implying a potential decision would be made soon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks, calling them a "terrorist act" and promising a firm response from the coalition led by Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition maintained that the attack was a war crime and vowed to respond accordingly.