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October 23, 2026Indian pilgrims have been caught up in flight disruptions in Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks. The government says it is working to arrange their return. DW has the latest.
https://p.dw.com/p/5OZbp
What you need to know
- Thousands of Indian Muslim pilgrims are stranded in Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
- Indian government said it is coordinating with airlines and tour operators to arrange for their return
Here is a roundup of our coverage from India from Friday, October 23:
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October 23, 2026
India coordinating return of Muslim pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia
The Indian government said on Thursday it was working to facilitate the return of Muslim pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia following flight disruptions caused by Houthi attacks on airport infrastructure.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah were coordinating with airlines and tour operators to arrange their return.
Around 3,000 stranded Umrah pilgrims had returned to India on available flights over the past week, alongside more than 10,000 other Umrah pilgrims who travelled on scheduled services, according to the ministry statement. Umrah refers to the pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites outside of the month of Dhul-Hijja.
"Arrangements are being discussed to facilitate the return of other Umrah pilgrims at the earliest," the ministry said.
Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had said around 4,000 Indian pilgrims were stranded in Mecca and Medina after Indian carriers cancelled flights.
As Saudi Arabia's revived war with the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels has intensified in recent weeks, with the Yemeni rebels targeting several major Saudi airports, some Indians have found themselves caught in the middle.
On Wednesday, one Indian national was killed and two others injured in an attack on Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia, while another was injured in an attack on the Shaybah oil field.
Can Yemen's government turn the tide against the Houthis?
https://p.dw.com/p/5OZdE
October 23, 2026
Welcome to our coverage!
Hello! This is Shakeel from DW's New Delhi bureau bringing you the latest updates from across India.
The escalating conflict between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia has left Indian Muslim pilgrims caught in the crossfire. The Indian government says it is coordinating efforts to ensure their safe return home.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk's popularity among Indian nationalist groups appears to be waning even as the billionaire seeks to expand Starlink's presence in the country. An affiliate of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is planning a protest march in New Delhi today against the satellite internet provider.
For all this and more, follow our live blog.
https://p.dw.com/p/5OZdO
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