Indian among four killed after Houthis intensify attack; Saudi counter-offensive faces setback

RIYADH: Four people, including an Indian national, lost their lives after Houthi rebels intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia. Missile and drone strikes were carried out at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and the Shaybah oil field. Two people were killed at each location.

A missile struck the King Fahd Airport in eastern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night. Among those killed was an Indian citizen, while eight others—including two Indians—sustained injuries. Flight operations resumed on Thursday. At the Shaybah site, a Filipino and a Nepalese national were killed, while an Indian and a Pakistani national were injured.

Houthis attacked Aramco’s Shaybah oil field on Wednesday morning. Saudi forces shot down the drones before they could strike the oil production facilities; however, a large piece of debris fell onto a vehicle carrying contract workers, causing it to catch fire.

The Shaybah oil field has a production capacity of 1 million barrels of crude oil per day. Aramco warned employees to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran.

Saudi Counter-Offensive Fails to Yield Results

1. Despite intensified bombing campaigns by the government and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, the Houthis seem to be little affected. Earlier this week, a Houthi attack in Shabwa resulted in the deaths of 70 personnel.

2. Aden Airport, which is under government control, was also targeted. The Houthis seized the Jabal Han mountainous area in Taiz. Furthermore, footage was released showing the destruction of coalition vehicles in Marib.

3. Saudi Arabia stated that it has carried out airstrikes on over 60 Houthi positions—including in the city of Sanaa—within the last 24 hours. The Houthis, meanwhile, alleged that Saudi Arabia is targeting civilians.

4. Egypt is considering the provision of fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the Turkish government has sought parliamentary approval to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia.

Advisory for Indians

• The Indian Embassy in Riyadh advised expatriates to remain vigilant and to seek shelter in safe locations immediately upon receiving an air-raid warning.

• The U.S. has directed all its non-essential diplomatic staff and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia immediately.