India condemns Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, flags Bab-el-Mandeb shipping risks

India has raised serious concerns over the growing threat to maritime navigation in the Red Sea after Iran-backed Houthis stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia. The External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday said the attacks were "unacceptable" and cautioned that continued escalation could threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the situation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud during a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on Sunday.

"The issue of the Houthis was also discussed. As you know, recently there was an attack on Saudi Arabia which we have condemned. We are also deeply concerned with the escalation in the situation in the Red Sea region," Jaiswal said, as quoted by PTI.

India's warning comes as Saudi Arabia faces a growing wave of attacks, with Iran-aligned fighters targeting oil infrastructure, military sites and other major infrastructures across the kingdom. The escalation has raised concerns about the safety of shipping routes connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

Jaiswal said India's concerns extend beyond the attacks themselves, particularly because of their potential impact on shipping and regional stability.

"We have condemned the attack on the Saudi sovereign territory, including on civilian infrastructure and economic assets. I would say that such attacks undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb," he said.

"These are obviously unacceptable to us; we hope there is early restoration of peace and stability in the region. Having said that, let me say that we continue to receive energy supplies from that part of the world," Jaiswal added.

The Bab-el-Mandeb, meaning "Gate of Tears", lies between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. It serves as a maritime link between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, making it a vital route for international trade and energy shipments.

The latest Houthi attacks have added a new complication to the region's already disrupted shipping network. The conflict involving Iran has already affected traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, making alternative routes increasingly important for oil-producing countries.SAUDI OIL ROUTE UNDER THREAT

The Houthis, who operate from Yemen and are backed by Iran, have carried out several attacks on Saudi Arabia over the past week. Among the targets was Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, which is a key alternative route that carries crude from the Kingdom's oil fields in the Gulf towards the Red Sea.

Since the pipeline was shut after Friday's attack, traders have warned that a prolonged shutdown could cut off as much as 4 per cent of global oil supply. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, however, said on Tuesday that he expected the pipeline to resume operations soon.

Riyadh has not given a specific timeline for the restoration of operations. Wright said he believed the disruption "will be measured in days."

He also said Saudi Arabia was taking measures to move more oil out of the Strait of Hormuz with assistance from the US military.WIDENING SECURITY ALERTS ACROSS SAUDI ARABIA

The security situation inside Saudi Arabia also appeared to be worsening.

Saudi authorities issued security alerts across a wide area of the country on Tuesday, including Mecca and Jeddah. The alerts were later lifted, and authorities did not immediately say whether any incoming projectiles had struck their intended targets.

The warning in Mecca was particularly significant as it marked the first security alert in the holy city during the current war. Mecca is home to sites considered sacred by Muslims around the world.

A Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis said 13 civilians were wounded in the attacks on Monday.

Saudi Arabia has also blamed a separate pro-Iranian group operating from Iraq for Friday's attack on the East-West Pipeline.

The escalation follows a rapid advance by the Houthis along Yemen's western coast. The fighters captured an island at the mouth of the Red Sea last week, strengthening their position near the strategically important maritime route.- EndsWith inputs from agenciesPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 16, 2026 01:19 IST