Trump: Houthi attack on Riyadh airport “unacceptable”

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, confirmed that the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia represent a dangerous escalation, constitute a grave threat to regional security, perpetuate the cycle of violence, and further complicate peace efforts in Yemen.

Grundberg strongly condemned the ongoing attacks launched by the Houthi group against civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, which resulted in the death of 12 people and the injury of 309 others.

The UN envoy indicated that this attack came after attacks targeting Riyadh and Abha airports earlier this week, which also resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.

In a statement on Sunday, Grundberg called on the Houthis to stop these attacks, renewing the call for respect for international humanitarian law, including the prohibition of launching attacks against civilians and civilian objects.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his country's strong condemnation of the Houthi terrorist group's recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday, which resulted in the death of 12 people, including an American citizen.

Rubio stressed, in a post on his official account on the “X” social media platform, that “these heinous attacks show a blatant disregard for the lives of innocent civilians, and must stop immediately,” stressing that the United States stands by Saudi Arabia and its people.

US President Donald Trump said earlier, on Saturday, that the United States “may join” the Saudi strikes on the Houthi militias, after the “recent attacks,” indicating that he had not yet made a decision.

Trump stated that he “will decide quickly about joining Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis,” adding: “We may do that, and we will study the matter.” We have just learned of the latest attack, so we will make a decision. "We are moving very quickly."

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States “may join” Saudi strikes on the Houthi militias, after “recent attacks,” indicating that he has not yet made a decision.

Trump stated that he "will quickly decide whether to join Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis." He added: “We may do that, and we will study the matter.” We have just learned of the latest attack, so we will make a decision. "We are moving very quickly."

Trump's statements came after the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority reported on Saturday that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had been attacked, resulting in injuries. The authority added that operational operations at the airport have been temporarily suspended, until the damage assessment is completed and the safety of the facilities is verified.

For his part, the spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Colonel Majid Al-Nuzaili, announced that more than 1,900 direct and accurate targeting operations had been carried out on the eastern, western and southwestern fronts during the last 24 hours, targeting weapons and ammunition stores, fortifications, camps and military sites, points on ruling bodies occupied by the enemy, reinforcements, mustering and assembly areas, field artillery positions, means of transporting elements and supplies, in addition to military targets. Legitimate and high value deep in areas controlled by the terrorist Houthi militias.

According to initial field estimates, the operations resulted in the neutralization of more than 1,150 militia members, and the destruction and damage of more than 180 combat, transport and supply vehicles and means, which weakened their ability to maneuver, provide support and sustain their combat operations. The spokesman added that the ground forces continued to develop their attack, achieving new field progress, recovering sites, extending control over additional governing bodies, and consolidating the gains achieved.