India has strongly condemned the latest Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, expressing concern over strikes against civilian and economic facilities and warning of their wider consequences for regional security and maritime stability.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued India’s response on September 9 following reports of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. Jaiswal said India condemned attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, with particular concern over the targeting of civilian and economic infrastructure. He also stressed that actions undermining regional security and stability and threatening freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb were unacceptable.
The Indian statement came after a fresh wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks against southern parts of Saudi Arabia. The attacks reportedly affected areas including Abha, Jazan and Khamis Mushait, with energy infrastructure and other facilities coming under attack. Saudi authorities said an earlier wave of strikes resulted in 73 injuries, including women and children, while fires were reported at several locations.
The renewed violence has increased concerns about the security situation around the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula. The Bab-el-Mandeb is particularly significant because it serves as a major maritime connection between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Continued attacks in and around the region could create additional risks for commercial shipping and international trade.
The latest escalation also comes against the backdrop of a broader deterioration in security across the Middle East. The renewed fighting involving the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces has raised fears that a conflict that had remained relatively contained following the 2022 UN-brokered truce could enter a more dangerous phase.
For India, the security of the region has important strategic and economic implications. Disruptions to major maritime corridors can affect shipping routes, energy supplies and global trade. The Bab-el-Mandeb’s importance has grown further amid wider disruptions affecting other key waterways in the Middle East.
Jaiswal’s remarks underline New Delhi’s continuing focus on regional stability and the protection of international navigation. By specifically objecting to attacks on civilian and economic facilities, India has also made clear its concern over the wider impact of the escalating hostilities on civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
With tensions continuing to rise across the region, the latest Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have added another significant security challenge to an already volatile Middle East. India’s call for respect for regional stability and freedom of navigation comes as international attention remains focused on preventing further disruption to critical trade and energy routes.