Riyadh Schools Shift to Remote Learning for a Week Amid Security Tensions

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Schools across Riyadh will shift to remote learning for a week after Saudi authorities ordered them to remain closed, according to messages sent to parents on Sunday.

Parents received last-minute emails from schools announcing the change, with two messages reviewed by AFP saying authorities had instructed schools to remain closed throughout the week.

The schools did not provide an official reason for the decision.

The move comes amid heightened regional tensions and a series of attacks targeting Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi fighters.

Parents Seek Clarity

Some parents expressed concern over the short notice and the lack of an explanation for the decision.

“When a decision affects an entire school community for a full week, families deserve clear communication and transparency about the reasons behind it,” one Riyadh resident told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“It’s a last-minute decision. We have no clue what’s happening,” a Lebanese expatriate living in Riyadh said.

The decision came a day after the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had intercepted drones and ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom.

The attacks were the latest in a series of escalating Houthi strikes since July, when renewed fighting ended a years-long truce and drew Yemen further into the wider Middle East conflict.

UN Condemns Attacks

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The council noted that the strikes have caused civilian casualties, including among women and children.

The latest school closures come as Saudi authorities continue to face security concerns linked to the ongoing regional conflict.