Youth from Desar in Gujarat stuck in Saudi, waiting for flights to begin

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in US-Israel strikes has led to Iran  unleashing attacks on nine countries in the Gulf including Israel. Caught in this tense situation are youth from Vadodara who have moved to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to earn a living. Their situation has left their families back home worried.

Thousands of youth from Gujarat, including over 3,000 from Balasinor, Petlad, Khambhat and Borsad have been working in Saudi Arabia to support their families. Of these, more than 150 youth from Vadodara district are currently based in Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh. 

On Tuesday, Faridbhai Sokatsa Diwan of Desar, who works for a company in Riyadh, talked to his family over a video call. He said, “We are currently on duty, but are afraid for 24 hours that a missile might hit us.  We have been spending sleepless nights, and it worries us thinking about our family. We are preparing to leave for India, as soon as air travel begins.”

Most Gujaratis find themselves stuck in the midst of the war. Thousands of young people from Desar, including Siraj Majit Sheikh, Sokat Miskinsa Diwan, Habib Alamsa Diwan, Farid Sokatsa Diwan, are stuck in Saudi Arabia, and are waiting for the flights to start to get back home.