India has strongly condemned the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, describing the targeting of civilian infrastructure as “completely unacceptable.” The statement from New Delhi comes amid a sharp escalation in the Yemen conflict, with attacks on vital aviation facilities causing civilian deaths and injuries.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people and government, while offering condolences to the families of those killed and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
India Sends Strong Message Against Attacks on Civilians
In its statement, the MEA said India condemned attacks carried out over the past few days against Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The ministry stressed that attacks against civilian infrastructure cannot be accepted, particularly when they put passengers, airport employees and other civilians at risk.
“Targeting civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable,” the MEA said, while conveying its condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones.
India also reiterated its solidarity with Saudi Arabia at a time when tensions across the region are intensifying.
The diplomatic response underlines New Delhi’s broader position against attacks that endanger civilian lives and critical infrastructure, regardless of the wider military confrontation in which such incidents occur.
Three Killed and 36 Injured in Saudi Airport Attacks
The condemnation followed deadly attacks on the two Saudi airports on October 6 and 7.
According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, three people were killed and 36 others injured in the attacks. Two fatalities were reported at Abha International Airport, while one person was killed at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The casualties included Saudi citizens as well as foreign residents, highlighting the impact of the attacks on civilians from different nationalities.
At Abha airport, authorities reported 28 injuries, while eight people were injured in the attack involving King Khalid International Airport. The injured were transported to hospitals for treatment, with the severity of injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Saudi aviation authorities also reported property damage and said emergency teams responded immediately. Officials began assessing the affected facilities and checking aviation infrastructure to ensure the safety of passengers and the continuity of airport operations.
Houthis Claim Attacks as Regional Tensions Escalate
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacks against Saudi targets, including the Riyadh airport. The group said it had launched a ballistic missile attack on King Khalid International Airport. Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed the latest Houthi claim, according to Reuters.
The attacks come against the backdrop of intensifying fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.
The conflict has increasingly threatened infrastructure beyond Yemen, raising concerns about the security of commercial aviation and other civilian facilities across the region.
The latest attacks have therefore added another dangerous dimension to an already volatile security environment in the Middle East.
Saudi-Led Coalition Launches Retaliatory Strikes
Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners responded forcefully after the attacks.
The Saudi-led coalition said it had conducted a major operation against Houthi military positions in Yemen, reporting the destruction of 82 military targets across several governorates, including Saada, Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf and Marib.
According to the coalition, the targets included ballistic missile storage facilities, command and control centres, communication systems, weapons depots and other military locations.
The coalition described the attacks on civilian facilities as unacceptable and warned that such attacks would not go unanswered.
The retaliatory action has raised fears that the latest exchange could further intensify fighting in Yemen and increase risks to civilians across the region.
India Stresses Civilian Safety Amid Wider Middle East Crisis
India’s response places civilian safety at the centre of its diplomatic position.
By condemning the attacks on airports and expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia, New Delhi has made clear that civilian transport hubs should not become targets in military confrontations.
The attacks also carry wider implications because airports serve as critical links for passengers, trade, emergency services and international connectivity. Any prolonged disruption could affect regional travel and economic activity.
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The escalation comes as the wider Middle East continues to face multiple security challenges, with Yemen’s conflict intersecting with broader regional rivalries and concerns surrounding key transport and energy routes.
For India, the immediate priority remains the protection of civilians and the safety of critical infrastructure. The MEA’s strong wording reflects New Delhi’s concern over attacks that have already resulted in deaths and injuries.
As tensions continue to rise, India’s call for the protection of civilian infrastructure adds to growing international concern over the expanding consequences of the Yemen conflict and its potential impact on regional stability.
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