Saudi Arabia probes air-defense failure after Houthi attack killed at least 13 and injured over 300 at Riyadh airport, as kingdom seeks greater U.S. military involvement

Saudi Arabia has opened an investigation into how its air defenses failed to stop the Houthi missile and drone attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300, the Associated Press reported, citing two regional officials who spoke anonymously.

The officials said an initial probe found that the Houthis first launched multiple drones to clear the way for cruise and ballistic missiles. Investigators are also examining why the defenses did not give earlier warning of the attack; the weapons traveled more than 1,000 kilometers to reach Riyadh.

Riyadh wants the United States to become more directly involved in its campaign against the Houthis. Washington has provided intelligence, target identification and planning support for a Saudi-led offensive, but has not carried out strikes against the group. President Donald Trump said Saturday he was considering U.S. attacks on the Houthis.

The Riyadh strike came amid a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports since the previous week, according to AP.