Saudi Arabia-Houthi conflict: Indian embassy in Riyadh issues advisory, urges citizens to remain vigilant | Today’s news
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has advised Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors if necessary and follow instructions issued by local authorities amid a sharp escalation of hostilities involving the Iran-aligned Houthi group.
In a notice issued on Thursday (October 8), the embassy urged Indians to refrain from sharing or reposting videos or messages related to the ongoing events.
“In view of the current situation, all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia are advised to remain alert and vigilant, stay indoors as necessary and follow instructions issued by local authorities through official channels,” the embassy said.
The advisory comes as the security situation in Saudi Arabia has worsened in recent weeks, with drones and missiles being used against border areas, airports, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
Indian Embassy issues security advisory
India’s embassy in Riyadh, along with its consulate in Jeddah, said its operations were continuing as normal. Its outsourced services through VFS were also business as usual.
The embassy said it will issue further updates and recommendations as needed.
Indian nationals in need of assistance can contact Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra’s 24/7 helpline on 8002471234.
The embassy also urged the Indian community to follow its official social media channels for updates.
The targets were Riyadh and Abha airports
According to Saudi authorities, attacks over the past two days at Abha International Airport have claimed two lives and injured 28, while another attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed one person and wounded eight others.
India strongly condemned the attacks on Thursday, saying the targeting of civilian infrastructure was “totally unacceptable”.
On Thursday, the Houthis claimed to have struck Riyadh’s airport and warned workers to stay away from Saudi energy facilities.
Reuters reported that witnesses saw a thick column of smoke and flames rising from the airfield in Riyadh. A witness and people briefed on the matter said the commercial aircraft caught fire, although the cause was not immediately officially confirmed.
Saudi authorities said debris from a captured Houthi missile landed in Riyadh, damaging a kindergarten and a medical complex.
Flights between India and Saudi Arabia suspended
The escalation also disrupted air links between India and Saudi Arabia.
Air India and Air India Express have canceled flights to and from Riyadh until October 10. Akasa Air also canceled its Kochi-Riyadh and Riyadh-Kochi flights on Thursday.
Air India Express said passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered free rescheduling or full refunds. The airline operates 16 weekly flights to Riyadh from Bengaluru, Kochi, Kannur and Kozhikode.
Air India has also canceled its Riyadh services till October 10. It operates seven flights a week from Delhi and Mumbai to Riyadh.
The airline said flight AI2243 from Delhi to Riyadh returned to Delhi on Thursday before being cancelled, with passengers offered full refunds.
By 1500 GMT on Thursday, nearly half of the departures from Riyadh airport were canceled, while more cancellations were expected at Saudi airports on Friday, according to aviation analyst Cirium.
Saudi Arabia seeks the support of allies
The latest attacks are part of a wider escalation linked to renewed fighting in Yemen.
The Houthis say they are targeting Saudi Arabia because of its support for forces belonging to Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Meanwhile, Riyadh is supporting an offensive by government forces against the Houthis.
The conflict in Yemen has largely remained frozen under a ceasefire since 2022, but fighting has intensified in recent weeks.
The Houthis have made gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including areas near the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb strait. Saudi-backed forces have since launched a counter-offensive to retake the territory.
Reuters reported that the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh and another aimed at Khamis Mushayt, home to a large Saudi airbase.
The renewed conflict has also sparked a growing humanitarian crisis, with some 200,000 people reported to have been displaced since fighting resumed.
(With inputs from PTI, Reuters)
Read also | India Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airport: ‘Unacceptable’
