RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has shifted schools in Riyadh to remote learning for a week, with parents receiving last-minute notifications on September 27 amid heightened security concerns following a series of missile and drone attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Shia Houthi movement. The sudden decision came as Saudi Arabia faced renewed cross-border attacks and growing concerns over the wider West Asia conflict.
Parents across the Saudi capital received emails from schools informing them that in-person classes would be suspended for the week. Two messages seen by AFP said Saudi authorities had informed schools that they must remain closed throughout the week. However, Saudi authorities did not publicly provide a reason for the decision.
The move followed an escalation in attacks by the Iran-backed Shia group Houthis, which has increasingly expanded its operations beyond Yemen. The school decision came one day after the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said its forces had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched towards Saudi Arabia.
According to the coalition, the missiles were heading towards Khamis Mushait, while the drones were directed towards Riyadh. Saudi forces continued monitoring missile and drone threats originating from Yemen.
Saudi civil defence also issued overnight alerts for Khamis Mushait and Abha, although no corresponding alert was issued for Riyadh. The latest developments have heightened security concerns across Saudi Arabia as the conflict involving the Iran-backed Shia Houthis enters a new phase.
Renewed Houthi attacks escalate Saudi security concerns
The renewed attacks form part of a broader escalation that began in July 2026, when fighting resumed after years of relative calm between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The Houthis control Yemen’s most heavily populated areas, including large parts of the north, and have increasingly carried the conflict beyond Yemen’s borders. The escalation has unfolded alongside the wider West Asia conflict, increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states.
Sunni Saudi Arabia is under brutal attack by Shia Houthi. Mecca is also targeted.@zoo_bear – are you watching the love between two branches of Islam? pic.twitter.com/5FZaM1N0Oh
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) September 16, 2026
The Houthi campaign has involved attacks targeting Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and vessels operating around the Red Sea. The Iran-backed Shia group also declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July and has since launched attacks around important maritime routes. Among the reported targets has been the holy city of Mecca, adding another sensitive dimension to the confrontation. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly faced security threats from Houthi missiles and drones during the Yemen conflict.
The developments also carry implications beyond Saudi Arabia because of the kingdom’s central role in global oil markets. The Red Sea provides Gulf exporters with an alternative maritime route to international markets. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz already severely constrained by the wider West Asia conflict, further disruption around the Red Sea could place additional pressure on energy supplies and international shipping.
For Saudi Arabia, the latest Houthi attacks therefore extend beyond the immediate security threat. Missile and drone launches, maritime disruptions and attacks on critical infrastructure could affect the kingdom’s transport and energy networks while adding pressure to already strained regional supply routes.
The decision to move schools in Riyadh online reflects the growing security uncertainty surrounding Saudi Arabia as the Iran-backed Shia Houthi movement intensifies its attacks amid the wider West Asia conflict.
