BD condemns Houthi attacks on KSA
Bangladesh has strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including a strike on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam that left two Bangladeshi nationals among those affected.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday expressed heartfelt sympathies to the families affected by the attacks and conveyed Bangladesh’s solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia.
Dhaka also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the parties concerned to pursue a peaceful resolution through diplomacy.
“Bangladesh strongly condemns the Houthi attacks in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including Dammam airport causing casualties and injuries, including two Bangladeshis,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The attack on 21 October at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam killed two people and injured eight others, according to information released by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The two Bangladeshi nationals, identified as Sajal Chandra Das, from Muradnagar upazila in Cumilla, and Mohammad Abdur Rahim, from Noakhali Sadar upazila, are receiving treatment at Saudi German Hospital in Dammam.
According to the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the two men lost consciousness because of heat and smoke during the incident but sustained no physical injuries.
Both were reported to be in stable condition and able to speak with a representative of the Bangladesh Embassy, who visited them in hospital to enquire about their treatment and wellbeing.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest overseas employment destinations for Bangladeshi workers, with expatriates employed across construction, transport, services, domestic work and other sectors.
Their remittances are a major source of foreign currency for Bangladesh and support millions of families.
Consequently, attacks on Saudi infrastructure pose risks that extend beyond the immediate casualties.
The latest incident also underscores the vulnerability of migrant workers who may find themselves caught in conflicts over which they have little control.
While they travel abroad primarily to earn a living and support their families, escalating regional hostilities can expose them to dangers far removed from their home country.
The attack comes amid intensifying fighting involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government.
Saudi Arabia has been directly involved in the Yemen conflict for years, and attacks targeting its territory and critical infrastructure have repeatedly raised concerns about regional security.
Airports are particularly sensitive targets because they serve civilian passengers, transport workers and international travel networks. Strikes affecting such facilities can disrupt operations and place people of different nationalities at risk.
The latest attack has also reinforced the importance of effective communication between Bangladeshi authorities, the embassy in Riyadh, employers and Saudi officials to ensure that injured workers receive appropriate treatment and that families are kept informed.
