DHAKA : State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said more than 24 Bangladeshis are receiving treatment at different hospitals in Riyadh following the ongoing conflict in Saudi Arabia, with several in intensive care.

"So far, two Bangladeshis have been killed, while more than 24 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Riyadh. Several of them are in intensive care units," she told journalists.

The state minister was speaking to newsmen after attending a seminar titled "Foreign Policy of Bangladesh: Navigating Pathways in a Shifting World," organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium in the capital.

Expressing grave concern over the escalating violence, Shama called for an immediate end to the conflict, saying innocent civilians were losing their lives and families were being devastated.

"We hope this situation will end soon and the war will stop, because innocent civilians are being killed and families are being destroyed," she said.

Responding to concerns over possible disruptions to Bangladesh's energy supplies deu to the ongoing conflicts in Middle East, Shama said the government had long been working to diversify energy sources and strengthen national energy security.

She said the Ministry of Energy, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, was actively exploring alternative sources to reduce potential supply vulnerabilities.

"Our State Minister for Energy is currently in Saudi Arabia and holding discussions on energy cooperation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia," she said.

The state minister, however, said the government had not received any indication of an immediate major disruption to Bangladesh's energy supplies.

"If problems arise because of the war, they will not be specific to Bangladesh. Countries around the world will face similar challenges," she said.

She expressed hope that the Energy Ministry's preparations and contingency planning would help Bangladesh withstand any potential disruption.
Shama also acknowledged that the conflict could affect remittance inflows as Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East faced job losses and uncertainty.

She said some migrant workers had already returned home after losing their jobs, while others remained in the region without employment.

With more than three million Bangladeshis living in Saudi Arabia alone, the conflict could have significant implications for overseas employment and remittances, she said.

The government was exploring new labour markets and promoting skilled, legal migration to reduce dependence on traditional destinations, she added.

The remarks came amid heightened security concerns following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including its aviation infrastructure.
The attacks have disrupted air connectivity between Bangladesh and Riyadh, forcing airlines to suspend flights and leaving thousands of passengers facing uncertainty.

According to the latest information from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), 10 flights involving Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Saudia and Riyadh Airways have been affected, disrupting the travel plans of 3,431 passengers.

The seminar featured presentations by BIISS Research Fellow Ayesha Binte Towhid, Research Director Dr Mahfuz Kabir, Research Fellow ASM Tarek Hassan Semul and Research Director Dr Sufia Khanom.

BIISS Director General Major General A S M Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address and chaired the session.