India has strongly condemned the repeated attacks by Houthi rebels on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following a devastating strike that claimed 13 lives, including one Indian national.
Indian Casualties and Government Response
Initial reports following Saturday’s attack indicated 12 fatalities and over 300 injuries. Late Sunday night, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that one of the 11 injured Indian nationals had succumbed to his injuries.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed profound grief over the tragedy on social media, stating:
”Deeply grieved at the loss of life of an Indian national in the Riyadh attack. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Embassy will extend all possible assistance.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a formal statement calling the targeting of civilian infrastructure completely unacceptable and demanding an immediate halt to such assaults. India also expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Saudi Arabia in defending their national sovereignty. The Indian Embassy remains in continuous contact with local Saudi authorities to ensure proper medical care and support for the remaining injured Indian citizens.
Escalation in West Asia
Saturday’s assault marked the third strike on the Riyadh airport over the past week and stands as one of the deadliest attacks in Saudi Arabia in over a decade. Alongside the Indian victim, casualties included nationals from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and the United States.
With nearly 20 Indian nationals having lost their lives since the broader West Asia conflict began in February, the security situation remains highly volatile. Meanwhile, international diplomatic and military responses are scaling up, with the United States evaluating potential interventions against Houthi positions in Yemen as regional tensions intensify.
