US President Donald Trump is considering whether Washington will join Saudi Arabia's military strikes against Yemen's Houthi movement following a deadly attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. The attack reportedly killed 12 people and injured 309 others on October 10. Trump said the United States might join Saudi Arabia's military action and indicated that a decision could come soon. He had not announced a decision to participate in offensive operations at the time of reporting.
The crisis has drawn attention to defence cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, although their positions on possible military action against the Houthis differ in scope. Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and security. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as "heinous" and said attacks targeting civilians and critical infrastructure are completely unacceptable.
The Houthis had not publicly claimed responsibility for the October 10 airport attack at the time of reporting. However, they had claimed responsibility for an earlier attack involving a ballistic missile directed towards the airport on October 8. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that the attack left 12 people dead and 309 injured. Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki blamed the Houthis for the attack, describing it as a war crime.
Trump's remarks followed the reported attack on Riyadh airport, as Washington considered its response to the escalating confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. According to reports, the US president intended to speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Any US decision to participate would mark a significant development in the conflict and could widen the confrontation beyond the existing Saudi-Houthi hostilities.
Türkiye's role in the conflict is focused on defensive support, not confirmed offensive participation. Türkiye's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, said Ankara was assessing how it could help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks, particularly through defensive assistance. He ruled out Turkish participation in offensive operations. Türkiye has also publicly condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom.
The three countries have strengthened their defence cooperation under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August 2026. The agreement is intended to deepen security coordination among its participants. This cooperation comes amid rising regional tensions and heightened concerns about the conflict's potential impact on global security.
The situation remains fluid, with the international community watching for Trump's decision on potential US involvement in Saudi Arabia's military action against the Houthis. The conflict's escalation has significant implications for regional and global security, and the responses from key players like the US, Pakistan, and Türkiye will be closely monitored in the coming days.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump considers joining Saudi Arabia's military strikes against Yemen's Houthi movement.
- Pakistan reaffirms commitment to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and security.
- Türkiye's role is focused on defensive support, not confirmed offensive participation.
