Political Guyentist
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[UPDATE] Saudi Arabia investigates why its air defenses failed to stop the Houthi strike that killed at least 13 at Riyadh's airport

Saudi state media reported a new drone-and-cruise-missile attack on Monday, Oct. 12, and the airport stays shut until Oct. 17.

Saudi Arabia opened an investigation into why its air defenses did not stop the Houthi drone-and-missile barrage on King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, Oct. 10. That strike has now killed at least 13 people, including an American, after an injured Indian national died (NBC; Fox News reports 14), and more than 300 were hurt (Saudi aviation authorities count at least 320). A second strike on Sunday, Oct. 11, killed one more. The attack. The drones and missiles flew more than 1,000 km (621 miles) from Yemen. Two unnamed regional officials told AP the drones came first, then the missiles, and that the probe also asks why warning came so late. The oil. Brent crude, the global benchmark, closed near $106 a barrel on Monday, Oct. 12, about $1.20 above its Friday, Oct. 9 close, after an intraday high of $107.33, per The Hill (NBC put the high near $108). U.S. crude closed at $93.16. Still open. Trump has not decided whether U.S. forces will join the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis.

PREVIOUSLY

  • Sept. 14 — Saudi Arabia shut its pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz; oil jumped more than $3 with 4% of world supply at risk.
  • Sept. 15–16 — The Houthis seized two more Red Sea islands; drones shut the East-West pipeline, Aramco halted loadings at Yanbu, and U.S. crude peaked at $107.02.
  • Sept. 20–21 — Houthi missiles burned a fuel depot near Riyadh's airport; Saudi Arabia intercepted another missile aimed at the capital.
  • Late Sept. — Trump turned down a prepared U.S. air campaign, sending the Saudis intelligence and targeting data instead; oil fell below $98 as the East-West pipeline was tested for restart.
  • Oct. 4 — A Saudi-led force announced a full campaign to "eliminate" the Houthis.
  • Oct. 10 — A strike on King Khalid airport killed 12, including an American, Saudi aviation authorities said; Trump said the U.S. "may" join.
  • Oct. 11 — A second strike killed one, and an injured Indian national died, raising the Oct. 10 toll to at least 13 (NBC); Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree declared Saudi airports targets, and the FAA told U.S. airlines to use caution.

What the War Powers law demands if Trump joins:

  • The War Powers Resolution requires the White House to notify Congress within 48 hours, stating the mission's scope, length and legal authority (CRS).
  • H.Con.Res. 124, introduced Oct. 9, says no law authorizes U.S. combat against the Houthis. It also alleges that more than 200 U.S. troops already serve in a joint command.
  • Precedent: Trump's March 28, 2025 letter cited only his constitutional powers for Navy and Air Force strikes on Houthi leaders and weapons stores.