Trump Considers U.S. Support for Saudi Arabia Against Yemen's Houthis

President Donald Trump stated on October 10, 2026, that he is evaluating the possibility of the United States joining Saudi Arabia in military actions against the Iran-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen. This consideration comes after a recent missile strike targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, resulting in fatalities and numerous injuries.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said, "We may. We're going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack. So, we'll make a decision. We move very quickly." His remarks suggest that the U.S. could deepen its involvement in the Yemeni conflict, which has already drawn international attention due to its regional implications and humanitarian consequences.

Saudi officials have urgently requested defense assistance from Washington following the attacks. Two unnamed Saudi government sources, including a senior figure from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed to MS NOW that immediate U.S. intervention is needed to bolster the Saudi-led coalition's efforts against the Houthis. The White House had not issued an official comment at the time of reporting.

The latest incident struck the passenger terminals 3 and 4 at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, a day after another missile hit the same location. Initial reports from the Associated Press did not provide detailed information about the number of casualties or the extent of damage in the newest assault.

However, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed that the previous Saturday attack resulted in 12 deaths and 309 injuries. Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, condemned the strike as a "war crime" and vowed a decisive response in accordance with international humanitarian law.

This attack marks the second deadly strike on the Riyadh airport within a week. Earlier, three Saudi nationals, including a pilot, lost their lives during an assault attributed to Houthi militants. Following the recent attacks, the Houthis reiterated their warning against the use of Saudi airports, labeling them as vulnerable targets except for the facilities in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen began after Houthi forces took control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, in 2014, igniting a brutal civil war. The kingdom leads a coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government against the Iran-backed rebel group. The ongoing conflict has also affected regional security and maritime routes, notably the Bab el Mandeb strait, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments.

In a recent development, the Trump administration approved a potential $24.3 billion sale of nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. This deal, pending congressional review, is regarded as a significant military upgrade for the kingdom amid escalating Houthi attacks.

Despite the security challenges, Saudi Arabia plans to proceed with an international energy conference in Riyadh. The five-day World Petroleum Congress, scheduled near King Khalid airport, will host over 70 ministers and 300 company executives, alongside representatives from more than 25 global energy organizations. The event includes a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum, with some sessions held privately.

The Houthis have also targeted maritime traffic through the Bab el Mandeb strait, aiming to disrupt oil tanker movement. This tactic echoes Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the strategic importance of these waterways for global energy markets. Earlier in the month, Yemeni government forces reclaimed the port city of Mokha from Houthi control, marking a notable development in the conflict.

The Iran war, which began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets on February 28, 2026, has contributed to rising global energy prices, affecting consumers worldwide. The surge in fuel costs remains a significant issue for voters in the United States ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Experts caution that direct U.S. military involvement against the Houthis would represent a marked escalation. According to the Critical Threats Project of the American Enterprise Institute, such action would be the first since Operation Rough Rider ended in May 2025. That campaign sought to degrade Houthi missile capabilities but recent attacks indicate the group has regained strength.

Steven Cook, a Middle East analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations, has raised concerns about the U.S. military’s capacity to sustain a prolonged campaign against the Houthis, especially while preparing for other global contingencies in regions such as East Asia.

Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom is also evaluating its role in supporting Saudi Arabia. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting told the BBC that discussions with Saudi counterparts have intensified recently. While the UK is not engaging in offensive operations at this stage, Streeting emphasized the government’s commitment to providing support, acknowledging the complexity of the conflict and the lack of a purely military solution.