Indian National Among Two Killed in Attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport
An Indian national was among two people killed in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, as attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels intensify, the country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said on Thursday.
The second victim was a Saudi citizen. Eight other people were injured in the incident, including nationals of India, Yemen and Bangladesh, as well as a Saudi resident of Bangladeshi origin.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said it was gathering further information about the incident and contacting the affected families. In a statement posted on X, the embassy expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Saudi aviation authorities said they were assessing the damage caused by the attack. Airport operations have since resumed, with air traffic returning to normal.
Saudi Arabia has faced near-daily attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces this month. These include a strike on Riyadh’s international airport, described as one of the kingdom’s deadliest attacks in recent years.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry reported that falling debris from a drone intercepted while targeting an oil facility killed two people and injured two others.
According to an AFP tally based on official figures, attacks on Saudi airports have killed 22 people this month.
The United States on Wednesday ordered non-essential embassy staff and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia, the US State Department said.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the Iran-backed Houthis had stepped up hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and serious travel disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy had urged Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow the latest safety instructions issued by local authorities when they receive emergency alerts.
The advisory recommends remaining calm, following official instructions and immediately moving to the nearest safe location inside a building. People have also been advised to remain indoors until authorities confirm that it is safe to leave.
The latest attacks come amid renewed hostilities following the collapse of a years-long truce in Yemen’s civil war in July. The Iran-backed Houthis are fighting the Yemeni government, which is supported by a Saudi-led coalition.
The Houthis have announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and launched attacks on its vessels, territory and oil facilities. In September, they launched a major offensive and captured areas along the Red Sea coast that had been under government control.
In response, the Saudi air force has repeatedly carried out strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, where the rebels control large parts of the country.
The escalating conflict has heightened security concerns across Saudi Arabia, particularly around airports and critical infrastructure, while authorities continue to assess the impact of the latest attacks.
