India condemns Saudi airport attacks, calls civilian targeting 'completely unacceptable'
Synopsis
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a sharp condemnation of Houthi-claimed strikes on two major Saudi airports that killed three civilians and injured 36 on 6 and 7 October. With over 2.4 million Indians living in Saudi Arabia, New Delhi’s statement is both a diplomatic signal and a direct expression of concern for its citizens’ safety in a volatile region.
Key Takeaways
India’s MEA on 8 October 2026 condemned attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh .
The strikes on 6 and 7 October killed 3 civilians and injured 36 others of multiple nationalities.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also targeted military facilities in Saudi Arabia .
India called the targeting of civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable” and expressed solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .
Saudi Arabia’s GACA confirmed property damage at both airports and said safety assessments were underway.
India on Thursday, 8 October 2026 strongly condemned the attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declaring the targeting of civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable.” The statement came after the attacks on 6 and 7 October killed three civilians and injured 36 others.
India’s Official Position
“India condemns the attacks over the past few days targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which have resulted in civilian deaths and injuries. The targeting of civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable,” the MEA said in a formal statement.
The ministry extended condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. “We express our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We express solidarity and stand with the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the statement added.
Casualties and Damage at Both Airports
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on Wednesday confirmed the toll from both strikes. At Abha International Airport, the attack killed two civilians — female residents of Moroccan and Algerian nationalities — and wounded 28 others, including Saudi citizens, a Bangladeshi resident, and a Filipino resident, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
At King Khalid International Airport, one resident of Sudanese nationality was killed and 8 others were injured, including 5 Saudi citizens, 2 Egyptian residents, and 1 Pakistani resident. According to the GACA statement, all injured individuals were hospitalised, and both strikes caused significant property damage.
Houthi Claim and Regional Context
The Houthis on Monday claimed responsibility for the attacks targeting sites across Saudi Arabia, including military facilities and airports. The strikes mark a renewed escalation in the long-running conflict between Yemen’s Houthi forces and the Saudi-led coalition, which has periodically targeted Saudi civilian and military infrastructure since 2015.
Notably, this is not the first time Abha International Airport has been struck — it has been targeted multiple times in previous Houthi campaigns, raising persistent concerns about the security of civil aviation in the region. The GACA said it was working with relevant authorities to assess damage, verify facility safety, and ensure the continuity of civil aviation operations across the Kingdom.
India’s Stake and Diplomatic Signal
India’s condemnation carries particular weight given the large Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, estimated at over 2.4 million, making it one of the largest expatriate communities in the Kingdom. Attacks on major international airports directly threaten the safety of Indian nationals travelling through or based in the region.
New Delhi’s response also reflects its broader diplomatic posture of opposing attacks on civilian infrastructure globally, a position it has consistently articulated in multilateral forums. As regional tensions persist, the safety of civilian air travel across the Gulf remains under close watch.
Point of View
New Delhi cannot afford ambiguity on civilian safety, but it also cannot afford to inflame its ties with Gulf actors who have complex relationships with Houthi-aligned parties. The repeated targeting of Abha airport, struck multiple times since 2015, underscores the failure of deterrence in this theatre. The real question is whether the international community’s collective condemnations — of which India’s is the latest — carry any operational weight in changing Houthi calculus.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India condemn the Saudi airport attacks?
India condemned the attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport because they resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, which the MEA called ‘completely unacceptable.’ India also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condolences to the families of the victims.
Who carried out the attacks on Saudi airports in October 2026?
The Houthis claimed responsibility on Monday for attacks targeting sites in Saudi Arabia , including military facilities and airports. The strikes occurred on 6 and 7 October 2026 .
How many people were killed or injured in the Saudi airport attacks?
Three civilians were killed and 36 others were injured across both airports. Two people died at Abha International Airport and one at King Khalid International Airport , with victims of multiple nationalities including Saudi, Moroccan, Algerian, Bangladeshi, Filipino, Sudanese, Egyptian, and Pakistani.
What did Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority say about the attacks?
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the casualty figures, said all injured were hospitalised, and noted that both strikes caused property damage. The authority said it was coordinating with relevant bodies to assess damage and ensure the safety of civil aviation operations.
Why does India have a strong interest in the safety of Saudi airports?
India has an estimated 2.4 million nationals living in Saudi Arabia , one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world. Attacks on major international airports directly threaten the safety of Indian citizens travelling through or residing in the Kingdom, making New Delhi’s response both diplomatic and protective in nature.
