Singapore tells citizens to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia as Houthi fire reaches Aramco’s headquarters, sources say
The MFA advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to Saudi Arabia amid heightened security risks, and those already there to avoid King Khalid International Airport and other high-risk areas until further notice and avoid non-essential travel in the kingdom (CNA, Straits Times). The Houthi strikes on Riyadh airport on Saturday 10 October killed at least 18 and wounded more than 300 according to Reuters via the Straits Times; CNA reported 14 dead. The airport stays shut this week, and a flight tracker cited by the Straits Times showed cancellations at all Saudi airports reaching 46.4%. On Tuesday the Saudi-led coalition ordered civilians out of a Yemeni oil site in Sanaa and struck oil depots near the capital (Reuters, Guardian, BBC), and the BBC said the Houthis vowed to target Riyadh and Dammam. Reuters reported loud booms near Aramco’s Dhahran headquarters, and Bloomberg, citing people with knowledge, said the headquarters was hit and a fire started. Mr Trump said the Houthis are trying to push up oil prices before the US midterm elections (Reuters, FT). Brent settled at US$105.69, down 0.9% (FinancialJuice, single source); Bloomberg Television also said oil eased from a three-day gain.
Saudi Arabia is a major oil producer and a hub for pilgrims and business travellers. Attacks that reach Aramco, the state oil company, raise the chance of supply disruption, and a closed Riyadh airport strands people. For Singapore, an oil hub, shipping and fuel costs are exposed.
If you or a relative have trips to Saudi Arabia, including Umrah or a Gulf transit, check your airline and the MFA advisory before you go. Singaporeans already there should follow the MFA’s guidance. Petrol, airfares and shipping costs may rise if the war widens.
The Saudi-led coalition says it is striking facilities the Houthis used to support their attacks (FinancialJuice, citing the coalition).
A Houthi official says employees at Saudi oil facilities and airports are legitimate targets, and the group vows to retaliate against Riyadh and Dammam (Straits Times, BBC).
The travel advisory is the sign that Singapore sees the risk as lasting, not a passing flare-up. The detail to keep an eye on is the Aramco report: it rests on unnamed sources, and until Aramco or Riyadh speaks, treat the extent of damage as unconfirmed. Watch whether Riyadh airport reopens, whether the Houthis strike Riyadh or Dammam as threatened, and whether the oil price breaks above its recent range.
DailyDrop Singapore edition No. 10 · Morning · WED., OCT. 14, 2026