India Condemns Houthi Strikes on Saudi Oil Facilities

New Delhi spoke out on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after a fresh wave of Houthi‑launched strikes hit Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. The Iran‑backed militia, operating out of Yemen, allegedly bombed the Abha bulk‑storage complex and a few other civilian sites on Tuesday.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to reporters, said India was “deeply concerned” by the attacks on Saudi sovereign territory. He stressed that targeting civilian and economic assets was “unacceptable” and ran counter to the very idea of regional peace.

Jaiswal added that such moves not only destabilise the Gulf but also threaten the free flow of commerce through the Bab‑el‑Mandeb strait – a choke‑point that ships from Asia to Europe regularly cross. “Any attempt to choke the Red Sea gateway will be viewed with grave alarm,” he warned, echoing New Delhi’s long‑standing stance on freedom of navigation.

The strikes come at a time when the United States has been tightening economic sanctions on Tehran, a development that the Houthis have repeatedly cited as a justification for their actions. While the militants claim they are retaliating against what they see as American and Saudi aggression, India made it clear that it does not recognise violence against civilian infrastructure as a legitimate means of protest.

India’s statement, though brief, was a clear reminder that the broader West Asian conflict affects not just the immediate combatants but also the wider international community. New Delhi’s condemnation aligns with its diplomatic efforts to keep trade routes open and to discourage any escalation that could spill over into neighboring countries.

Analysts note that India’s reaction is part of a pattern: the country often voices concerns over any threat to maritime security, especially in the Indian Ocean region where a large share of its trade passes. By calling the attacks “unacceptable,” New Delhi is signalling both solidarity with Saudi Arabia and a broader commitment to regional stability.