India has issued a safety advisory to its nationals in Saudi Arabia amid growing tensions and an escalating conflict involving Yemen's Iran-aligned
Houthi movement. In an advisory issued on October 8, the Embassy of India in Riyadh urged Indian citizens across the Kingdom to remain “alert and vigilant” and follow all instructions issued by Saudi authorities through official channels.
The embassy advised Indians to stay indoors whenever necessary and exercise caution in view of the prevailing security situation. It also strongly urged members of the Indian community not to circulate or repost videos and news reports linked to the ongoing developments.
The Embassy of India in Riyadh, the Indian Consulate in Jeddah and their outsourced services operated through VFS Global continue to function normally, according to the advisory. The Indian missions said they would issue additional updates and advisories whenever required.
The embassy also reminded Indian nationals that the 24x7 helpline of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) remains available at 8002471234. Indian citizens in Saudi Arabia have been advised to depend only on the embassy's official social media platforms for verified information and further updates.
Explosions Reported in Riyadh as Saudi-Houthi Conflict Escalates
The advisory came as tensions intensified between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi forces, with loud explosions reported in Riyadh on Thursday. The escalating violence also disrupted flights and prompted some companies to ask employees to work from home.
The Houthis claimed that they had launched a ballistic missile toward Riyadh airport. The group also repeated its warning that it could force Saudi Arabia's airspace to shut down.
The latest escalation follows Saudi Arabia's support for Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is fighting the Houthis after the country's civil war reignited.
The conflict has also become connected to the wider US-Iran confrontation, increasing instability across the region. The situation has raised concerns that other countries could become involved in the fighting. Syria is reportedly considering sending troops to support Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from allied countries, including Turkey and Pakistan. The support could involve logistical or defensive assistance as Riyadh attempts to push back Houthi forces that have made gains in southwestern Yemen near the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The situation became more serious after Saudi authorities said on Wednesday that three people had been killed in attacks this week targeting Riyadh airport and Abha airport in the southwest of the country.
Flight Disruptions Reported at Riyadh Airport
Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 showed several delayed arrivals and departures at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday. The security concerns also affected businesses operating in the city. Several multinational companies located in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) instructed employees to work from home following loud explosions heard on Thursday morning, according to five people familiar with the situation.
The Saudi government did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while KAFD was also unavailable for comment. Some diplomats said they had received security warnings. Several schools in Riyadh also informed parents that students had been instructed to remain sheltered in place, although there was no publicly issued alert from the authorities. The exact cause of the loud explosions reported in Riyadh remained unclear.
Yemen Civil War Reignites Amid Regional Conflict
Yemen's prolonged civil war had largely remained under a ceasefire since 2022, but fighting has intensified again in recent weeks. The Houthis captured parts of Yemen's Red Sea coastline last month, including areas close to the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The waterway is a major shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis control large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and several of the country's most heavily populated areas. The group has claimed that its latest military actions are a response to attacks by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The government has rejected those allegations.
The threat to shipping has become particularly significant because the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has gained greater importance for Gulf oil exports following Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Houthi attacks on Saudi cities and critical infrastructure have also pulled Riyadh deeper into the renewed conflict. Saudi-backed forces launched a counteroffensive this week and recaptured territory around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. However, the fighting remains spread across several fronts, with the Houthis also making advances elsewhere in Yemen. The Houthi forces have surrounded Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, after capturing territory along its main mountain route toward Aden.
The renewed conflict pits the Houthis against a coalition of Saudi-backed forces supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government. The latest fighting has further worsened the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country. Around 200,000 people have been displaced since the conflict resumed, adding to the country's already severe humanitarian challenges.
