Indian Pilgrims Face Delays in Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Strikes
Thousands of Indian pilgrims are experiencing significant travel disruptions in Saudi Arabia due to Houthi attacks on airport facilities, with the Indian government working to facilitate their return.
Highlights
- Houthi strikes targeting Saudi Arabian airports have led to numerous flight cancellations and delays.
- Approximately 3,000 Umrah pilgrims from India have managed to return home on available flights in the past week.
- Over 10,000 additional Umrah pilgrims have traveled via regularly scheduled services.
- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with relevant parties to expedite the return of other stranded pilgrims.
- A recent assault on Dammam airport resulted in the death of one Indian national and injuries to two others.
Details
Indian authorities have confirmed their efforts to assist Muslim pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia. The disruptions stem from Houthi rebel actions targeting aviation infrastructure within the kingdom. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are actively collaborating with airlines and travel agencies to organize repatriation flights. In the last seven days, around 3,000 individuals on Umrah pilgrimages have successfully flown back to India, complementing the more than 10,000 others who returned on pre-arranged flights.
Earlier, Asaduddin Owaisi, a leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), reported that about 4,000 Indian worshippers were unable to depart from Mecca and Medina after Indian air carriers canceled their services. The intensifying hostilities between the Saudi government and the Iran-supported Houthi movement in Yemen have seen the rebels target several major Saudi airfields, impacting civilian travel. A recent incident at Dammam airport on Wednesday killed one Indian citizen and wounded two others. Separately, an attack on the Shaybah oil field also left one person injured.
Why it matters
The escalating Houthi assaults on Saudi Arabia not only threaten regional stability but also directly impede international travel and religious pilgrimages. The plight of thousands of stranded pilgrims underscores the critical need for diplomatic initiatives and international cooperation to ensure the safety and swift return of affected individuals. These events highlight the profound human impact of ongoing instability in the region.