Riyadh Missile Strike: Indian Expats Among Wounded in Houthi Attack
A sudden missile strike by Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, has left several Indian nationals wounded. The attack, which struck Aramco fuel tanks located near King Khalid International Airport, ignited massive flames and sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky during the transition from Saturday night to Sunday morning.
Escalating Regional Tension
The Saudi-led coalition confirmed that a ballistic missile was intercepted over Riyadh as the chaos unfolded. This incident marks a significant surge in hostilities since July. Beyond the capital, Houthi forces have claimed responsibility for strikes against an Aramco facility in Yanbu, following a series of previous attacks on locations including Khamis Mushait, Abha, Taif, and Jazan.
In response to the immediate danger, Saudi civil defense authorities issued urgent phone alerts to residents in both Riyadh and Al-Kharj while emergency crews worked frantically to control the resulting blaze.
India’s Diplomatic and Consular Response
As news of the injuries broke, the Indian government moved swiftly to support its citizens. To provide direct consular support, Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri visited the injured Indian citizens currently receiving treatment at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah.
The Ministry of External Affairs has taken a firm stance on the matter:
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the strikes, labeling them "totally unacceptable" and warning that they jeopardize both regional stability and the safety of maritime routes.
High-level diplomatic channels have also been activated. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has engaged in discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Additionally, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh has conducted visits to Indian labor camps in the region to assess the situation on the ground.
Safety Measures and Maritime Warnings
To ensure the safety of its diaspora, the Indian government has placed its missions in Riyadh and Jeddah on a 24-hour alert. The Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline remains active for anyone requiring immediate assistance.
The maritime sector is also on high alert. The Directorate General of Merchant Shipping (DGMA) has cautioned shipping firms against assigning Indian crew members to vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz due to the heightened risk of conflict. Currently, 166 seafarers have been identified as being in the vicinity of the danger zone.
Legal Challenges for Indian Nationals
Amidst the security crisis, the Indian government is also navigating a long-standing legal issue involving Indramani Nautiyal. A truck driver from Tehri Garhwal, Nautiyal has been detained in Saudi Arabia since 2018 following an unpaid accident penalty amounting to Rs 2.29 crore. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has formally requested the intervention of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to resolve this matter.