Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Thursday said they were trying to rescue 14 Indians aboard a boat that came under attack near Jabal Zuqar island in the Red Sea. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the boat was attacked near the island, close to the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key global shipping route, Reuters reported.
He blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack.
This comes amid fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Two people were killed, including one Indian national, and eight were injured, including two Indians, HT reported earlier.
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Saudi Aramco asks staff to evacuate headquarters
Saudi state oil giant Aramco has asked employees to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran and work remotely, six people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The reason for the evacuation remains unclear.
This follows a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting energy infrastructure and airports. Houthi spokesperson Saree said the group launched attacks on Aramco facilities in the Red Sea city of Yanbu and the Saudi defence ministry in Riyadh. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the claims.
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted drones over Riyadh and Medina on Thursday.
India condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia
India on Thursday condemned the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom.
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“We strongly condemn the continued attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield in the Eastern Province on October 21,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry described the attacks as “completely unacceptable” and called for them to stop immediately. It also expressed condolences to the family of the Indian national killed in Dammam and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The Indian embassy in Riyadh is in touch with Saudi authorities and providing assistance to affected Indian nationals.
India working to bring back stranded pilgrims
India is also working with airlines and tour operators to facilitate the return of pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia after Indian carriers suspended flights amid the escalation in hostilities.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 3,000 stranded Indian pilgrims had returned to India on available flights over the previous week. More than 10,000 other pilgrims had also returned during the same period.
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“Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest,” Jaiswal said.
He added that Indian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah, with the support of community volunteers, were providing assistance to the pilgrims.
Oil prices rise amid fears of supply disruption
The escalating conflict has unsettled energy markets, with Brent crude futures rising to $111.88 a barrel on Thursday after touching $112.55 earlier in the session, their highest level since May 18.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index fell 2.5% on Thursday following reports of the evacuation at Aramco’s headquarters, according to LSEG data.
The renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has ended a United Nations-brokered truce that largely halted cross-border attacks in 2022.