India has strongly condemned attacks targeting two major airports in Saudi Arabia, calling the targeting of civilian infrastructure “completely unacceptable”. The Ministry of External Affairs issued the statement on October 8, 2026, following the deadly attacks on Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The attacks, which took place on October 6 and 7, were claimed by Yemen's Houthi movement as a result of fighting in the region. Saudi authorities said three people were killed and 36 others were injured in the attacks.
Attacks Target Saudi Airports
According to Saudi civil aviation authorities, Abha airport in the country's southwest and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were targeted in separate attacks.
Two people were killed and 28 were injured in the attack at Abha airport, while one person was killed and eight injured in Riyadh's King Khalid airport.
The Houthis claimed that their forces had targeted the airports with missiles and drones. Saudi authorities, however, claimed that some incoming missiles were intercepted.
India Calls Attacks Completely Unacceptable
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, in response to the developments, strongly condemned the attacks and specifically objected to the targeting of civilian infrastructure.
"India condemns the attacks" targeting Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport, the ministry said, adding that such attacks leading to civilian deaths and injuries were unacceptable.
India also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
India Expresses Solidarity with Saudi Arabia
New Delhi also reiterated its support for Saudi Arabia following the attacks.
The MEA said India stands with the people and government of Saudi Arabia. That is in line with India’s general view that attacks against civilian and economic infrastructure threaten regional security and stability.
India had also condemned reported Houthi attacks on Saudi territory in September, warning that such attacks could affect regional security and freedom of navigation around the Bab-el-Mandeb.
Wider Regional Conflict Intensifies
The airport attacks are part of a wider escalation in Yemen and the surrounding region.
The Houthis have been fighting Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, and recent clashes have intensified around the strategically important Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis also launched attacks around Aden, where a missile reportedly landed near the airport runway and a Cairo flight was diverted to Jeddah.
Civilian safety and the safety of important regional transport and trade routes are also at stake with recent violence.
Civilian Safety Remains a Major Concern
The latest attacks have once again underscored the risk when military operations extend to civilian infrastructure.
Airports are critical facilities for passengers, workers and commercial operators. So the deaths and injuries in Saudi Arabia have been condemned by many countries and regional organisations.
For India, the October 8 statement reaffirms its call for civilian infrastructure to be protected and regional stability to be maintained.
Skeptics say the conflict remains fluid and that Saudi-led forces are responding to Houthi attacks and battles continue in parts of Yemen.
