An Indian national was killed and eight other people were injured in a late-night attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia's eastern oil hub. Saudi civil aviation officials confirmed the incident on Thursday, noting that a Saudi citizen also lost his life in the strike. Flight tracking services reported that aircraft were temporarily diverted, though normal airport operations quickly resumed.

Hours earlier on Wednesday morning, a separate aerial attack targeted the Shaybah oilfield in southeastern Saudi Arabia. Saudi air defence systems intercepted an incoming drone over the facility operated by state oil firm Saudi Aramco. Falling shrapnel ignited a contractor's vehicle outside the perimeter, killing two foreign workers—from Nepal and the Philippines—and injuring another Indian national along with a Pakistani worker. Energy ministry sources confirmed that oil production was not affected.

Pattern of rising casualties among Indian workers

These latest casualties highlight a troubling trend for the large Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, another Indian worker was killed and several others were wounded in a drone strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Nearly 2.74 million Indians live and work across the Kingdom, forming a vital economic and human link between the two nations.

India has strongly condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure and called for an immediate end to hostilities. Responding to the oilfield attack, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh stated on social media: "The Embassy has learnt that one Indian national was injured in an attack at Shaybah oilfield today," adding that the mission "would provide all necessary assistance to the injured Indian national." 

Embassy issues safety warnings for Indian residents

With aerial threats growing, the Indian Embassy has issued an urgent advisory for all Indian citizens residing in the country. Workers and residents have been urged to stay alert, strictly follow local emergency guidelines, and seek shelter indoors whenever air raid alerts sound.

Crucially, Indian authorities have warned residents against taking photos or filming missile and drone interceptions. Sharing footage of attack sites or military actions on social media is strictly forbidden and can lead to severe legal penalties under Saudi law.

Why Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are escalating

To understand why these strikes are happening, one must look at Yemen. The Houthis are an Iran-backed armed group controlling large parts of northern Yemen. They have been fighting Yemen's official government, which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition, for several years.

A peaceful ceasefire collapsed in July 2026. Since then, the Houthis have launched a fresh wave of drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi airports, energy plants, military structures, and Red Sea shipping lanes. Official tallies show that 22 people have died in airport attacks across Saudi Arabia this month alone. In response to the Shaybah incident, the Saudi Ministry of Energy noted: "Air defences thwarted an attempt to target the Shaybah field, with two deaths and two injuries among residents resulting from shrapnel falling after the interception,".

International concern is growing sharply. The US government has ordered non-essential diplomatic staff to leave Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice, warning that "There is a heightened threat against airports, Saudi military and defence buildings, military bases, ports and energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, including Abha, Jizan, Najran, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu, as well as shipping in the Red Sea." It further warned that "Further attacks against airports as well as disruption and cancellations are very likely," and advised British citizens: "We advise British nationals to avoid King Khalid International Airport until it is secure and to follow the advice from the Saudi authorities."