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The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh has advised all citizens in the kingdom to heighten their vigilance and steer clear of locations that could present security threats amid renewed Houthi activity. According to a statement the embassy posted on its official Instagram account, Indonesians should avoid areas that may pose risks and restrict non-essential movement while staying informed through official channels. The embassy further recommended confirming flight statuses with airlines prior to heading to any airport and provided emergency contact numbers including 911 for major cities and 998 for other regions.
A security advisory dated October 9 from the embassy directed Indonesians to remain in safe areas and adhere to instructions from Saudi local authorities. The embassy said in the statement that citizens should monitor updates from both the Saudi government and Indonesian diplomatic missions in the kingdom. Indonesians requiring urgent help can also reach the embassy in Riyadh via its hotline at +966-56-917-3990.
Saudi authorities reported that three people were killed and 36 others injured in Houthi attacks on two airports earlier in the week, a Xinhua dispatch noted. The Yemen-based Houthi group confirmed it carried out additional missile and drone strikes on airports as well as military installations across Saudi Arabia. The Indonesian advisory aligns with the embassy’s ongoing monitoring of the situation in coordination with Saudi officials.
Indonesian embassy registration data places the number of Indonesian citizens in Saudi Arabia at approximately 850,000, the majority of whom work as domestic helpers, construction laborers or in service industries. Many of these expatriates live in key cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca and Medina, according to embassy figures. The large community has prompted diplomatic missions to issue regular safety guidance during periods of regional tension.
Similar alerts were distributed in September 2026 after Saudi officials warned of potential threats in Mecca, Jeddah and Taif, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported at the time. Heni Hamidah, director of citizen protection at the ministry, stated then that no Indonesians had been impacted and that envoys continued close coordination with Saudi counterparts. The latest advisory builds on that approach while expanding emergency protocols for citizens.
Tensions in the region have escalated with renewed clashes involving Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a Tempo.co dispatch from Antara indicated. The Indonesian government maintains active labor agreements with Saudi Arabia that cover worker protections for its expatriate population. Officials at the Foreign Ministry said they will continue to update the advisory as the security environment evolves.
