Riyadh, Octo 22: A series of severe drone attacks targeting the facility of the world-renowned Saudi Arabian oil company, ‘Aramco,’ and the international airport in Dammam has resulted in three deaths and injuries to ten people, including an Indian national.
It is suspected that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, based in Yemen, may be responsible for these attacks. This series of strikes has triggered intense tension across the Gulf nations; consequently, the United States has ordered non-essential staff at its embassy to leave the country immediately for safety reasons.
Drone Attack on Aramco Oil Facility
An attempt was made to carry out a drone attack targeting the Shaybah oil field, located in the southeastern part of Saudi Arabia. Although Saudi air defense forces intercepted and shot down the drone, its debris fell onto a contractor’s vehicle within the oil field, igniting a massive fire. Two workers—one from Nepal and one from the Philippines—died on the spot. Two employees, from India and Pakistan, sustained severe injuries and have been admitted to a local hospital. Fortunately, the Saudi Ministry of Energy has clarified that the attack has not caused any disruption to the refinery’s operations.
Attack on Dammam International Airport:
An aerial attack also targeted the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, located in the Eastern Province—one of the busiest airports in the Gulf region. One Saudi national was killed in the attack, and eight others were injured. Airport facilities sustained damage, and the flight paths of several aircraft had to be diverted.
Order for the Withdrawal of US Personnel and Diplomatic Crisis:
As the attacks intensified, the US State Department issued an emergency departure order, directing non-essential staff at its embassy in Riyadh—along with their family members—to leave Saudi Arabia immediately. Washington has expressed concern that the Houthis’ persistent attacks on civilian infrastructure are endangering the lives of the general public.
Why is this a cause for concern for India:
More than 2.5 million Indians are employed across Saudi Arabia’s oil, real estate, and service sectors. The targeting of major public and industrial facilities—such as airports and oil refineries—along with the injury of an Indian national in the Aramco incident, has caused deep concern among the Indian community there and their families.