Riyadh: An Indian national was injured in an incident involving a drone near Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oilfield, prompting the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to coordinate with Saudi authorities and offer assistance to the injured person.
The incident took place on Wednesday morning, when Saudi air defences intercepted a drone attempting to target a facility at the oilfield operated by state-owned Saudi Aramco.
In a social media statement, the Indian Embassy said it had learnt that an Indian citizen was injured in the attack and was awaiting further information from the Saudi authorities. The mission also assured that it would provide all necessary assistance.
According to Saudi authorities, the interception was followed by falling shrapnel that killed two residents and injured two others. The victims included Filipino and Nepali nationals who died, while Pakistani and Indian nationals sustained injuries.
What Happened At Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah Oilfield?
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy said air defences thwarted an attempt to target the Shaybah facility. According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency, citing an official source at the ministry, the interception led to a fire in a contractor’s vehicle outside the oilfield’s perimeter.
Authorities said the incident did not affect oilfield operations. Emergency and other competent authorities responded and took the necessary measures following the incident.
Saudi officials have not publicly identified the party responsible for the attempted attack. While the incident comes amid heightened regional hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, responsibility for this specific attempt has not been officially established.
Why Is The Shaybah Oilfield Important?
Located in the Rub’ al-Khali desert in southeastern Saudi Arabia, close to the United Arab Emirates border, Shaybah is a major oilfield operated by Saudi Aramco.
The facility forms part of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure, making security around the site significant for the kingdom’s oil production network. The reported interception, however, did not disrupt operations, according to the Saudi Ministry of Energy.
The incident comes against the backdrop of continued tensions in the region and reported drone and missile attacks targeting infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen and have been involved in a prolonged conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which has received support from a Saudi-led coalition.
Indian Embassy Issues Assistance And Safety Guidance
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said it was in contact with Saudi authorities to obtain further details about the injured Indian national. The mission has also advised Indian citizens in the kingdom to remain vigilant, follow local authorities’ instructions and move indoors for shelter during aerial attacks.
The embassy has cautioned people against recording or circulating images and videos of drone or missile interceptions and affected locations, warning that such activity could have legal consequences under Saudi law.
The incident follows another deadly attack earlier this month on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, in which an Indian national was killed and several others were injured, according to the supplied report.
India has condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia, particularly those affecting civilian facilities and critical infrastructure, and called for an end to hostilities.
Saudi Arabia is home to an estimated 2.74 million Indian nationals working across different sectors. The embassy’s response to the latest incident comes as authorities continue to monitor security developments and assist Indian citizens affected by regional violence.
