Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad has urged Singaporeans in Saudi Arabia, including pilgrims, to stay alert following a deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on 10 October.
In a social media statement on 11 October, he asked them to keep up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) travel advice and register their travel details through its eRegister service.
Concerns For Pilgrims And Their Families
Zaqy acknowledged the anxiety among Singaporeans whose relatives were in Saudi Arabia, as well as those preparing for an umrah pilgrimage. He noted the significance of Makkah and Madinah, Islam’s two holiest cities.
“Every innocent life matters,” he wrote, condemning the targeting of civilians and facilities used by them.
He offered sympathy to the victims and their families, and expressed hope that the violence would stop and the region could regain stability.
Airport Attacked Again On 11 October
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for the 10 October strike. Reuters’ updated report on 11 October put the death toll at 13, with more than 300 people injured.
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed another attack at the airport on the afternoon of 11 October. It said people had been injured and officials were inspecting facilities and assessing the damage.
Singapore had already condemned earlier Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian aviation facilities in an MFA statement dated 9 October, before the deadly 10 October strike.
The ministry said the attacks, which had killed and injured civilians, had no justification.
What MFA Advises Singaporeans To Do
MFA’s Saudi Arabia advisory, dated 22 April 2026, advises Singaporeans to postpone travel to the country except for Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.
The advisory describes the security situation in those three cities as stable, but still calls for travellers to take precautions. Singaporeans should stay alert, keep track of local developments and comply with directions from Saudi authorities.
Anyone flying to or transiting through Saudi Arabia should check with their airline for updated travel information.
Singaporeans can submit their travel details at MFA’s eRegister website. This allows the ministry to contact them if assistance becomes necessary.
Those who need consular help can contact Singapore’s Embassy in Riyadh or Consulate-General in Jeddah. MFA’s 24-hour Duty Office is also reachable at +65 6379 8800 or +65 6379 8855, or by email at [email protected].
