India denounces Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spoke out against a fresh wave of attacks carried out by Yemen’s Iran‑aligned Houthi militants on Saudi oil installations. The spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, told reporters that the strikes on civilian and economic assets were “unacceptable” and undermined the fragile stability of the region.

The attacks, which unfolded on Tuesday, September 8, targeted key facilities owned by Saudi Aramco and other critical infrastructure in the kingdom. Satellite images released by Reuters showed plumes of smoke rising from the blast sites, confirming the severity of the damage.

India’s condemnation was swift and unequivocal. Jaiswal emphasized that any assault on sovereign territory, especially one that jeopardises freedom of navigation through the strategic Bab‑el‑Mandeb Strait, cannot be tolerated. He warned that such provocations could spiral into a broader escalation of the West Asian conflict.

The timing of the Houthi offensive is noteworthy. It comes as the United States intensifies economic sanctions on Tehran, prompting speculation that the militants are seeking to pressure the international community by threatening oil‑rich Saudi Arabia. While the Houthis operate primarily from Yemen, their actions reverberate far beyond the country’s borders.

New Delhi’s statement also underscored its commitment to a rules‑based international order. By denouncing the attacks, India reaffirmed its support for regional peace and the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies that are vital to the global economy.

As diplomatic channels remain open, analysts say the next few days will be crucial in gauging whether the Houthi group will curb its operations or whether the situation will deteriorate further, pulling more nations into the fray.