Two Indonesian Citizens Suffer Minor Injuries in Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reveals Condition of 2 Indonesian Citizens Injured in Houthi Attack in Riyadh: Minor Injuries

Two Indonesian citizens who suffered minor injuries during a Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have received medical treatment and been discharged, Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Wednesday.

The attack occurred on October 11, 2026, as part of a series of strikes targeting Saudi airports that have resulted in at least 20 deaths and more than 370 injuries across multiple locations between October 6 and 12. The assault marks the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade.

"Based on recent coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it has been confirmed that there are two Indonesian nationals who sustained minor injuries from the attack," said ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang. "Both of the WNI were treated in Riyadh and were permitted to leave on the same day."

King Khalid International Airport, Saudi Arabia's second-busiest aviation hub after Jeddah, serves the capital city of Riyadh, which has approximately 8 million residents. The October 10 attack on the same airport killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 300 when a Houthi ballistic missile struck terminals 3 and 4, causing ceiling collapse and extensive debris.

Escalating Regional Conflict

The recent attacks represent a significant escalation in the Houthi-Saudi conflict, which intensified following a July 13, 2026 airstrike on Sanaa airport. In response, the Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20, 2026, effectively ending a ceasefire that had been in place since 2022.

Iran has provided military support to the Houthis since at least 2009, including weapons, training, and military advisors through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, though both Iran and the Houthis have denied the full extent of this assistance.

Saudi Arabia has launched an investigation into how its air defense systems failed to intercept the barrage of missiles and drones, raising questions about the kingdom's ability to protect critical infrastructure.

International Response and Travel Disruptions

Multiple countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, and Canada have issued travel warnings advising their citizens against using Saudi airports following the attacks. The UK suggested its nationals consider departing via land routes to neighboring countries.

Major airlines including Air India, Akasa Air, Lufthansa, and Pakistan International Airlines suspended services to Riyadh, with hundreds of flights cancelled. Saudi authorities have extended the closure of King Khalid International Airport until October 17, 2026, at 24:00 local time.

Embassy Advisory for Indonesian Citizens

The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh has issued advisory guidance urging Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia to increase vigilance, avoid high-risk areas, limit non-essential travel, refrain from disseminating photos or videos related to the attacks, and comply with local authorities' directives.

"Indonesians traveling to and from Saudi Arabia are urged to double-check their flight status with their airline and to stay updated with official information from Saudi authorities and KBRI Riyadh," Mewengkang said.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs data from October 2026, there are 581,000 Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia, with 37,494 residing in Riyadh. Indonesia had approximately 850,000 citizens living and working in Saudi Arabia as of July 2025, with the majority being migrant workers in domestic service and formal sectors.

The embassy continues to coordinate with Saudi authorities and monitor information from hospitals in Riyadh and surrounding areas to ensure the safety of Indonesian nationals and implement protective measures as needed.