Riyadh schools switch to remote learning amid Houthi threat
Schools in Riyadh have told parents that classes will move online for the rest of the week, in an abrupt change that has not been explained by the Saudi authorities. Several schools in the Saudi capital sent messages to parents on Saturday saying lessons would be held remotely from Sunday to Thursday. The National has seen at least three such messages from three different schools. None gave a…
Riyadh schools have opted for remote learning for the rest of the week due to a Houthi threat, according to parents' messages to guardians. However, the Saudi government has not provided an explanation for this decision. At least three schools in the Saudi capital sent notices to parents on Saturday, announcing that lessons would be conducted remotely from Sunday to Thursday.
No specific reason has been given for the sudden change. The Ministry of Education has not issued a formal announcement regarding the measure, which is currently implemented at select schools in the city. Tensions are high in the kingdom as the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen claimed it intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh.
Additionally, two ballistic missiles fired towards Khamis Mushait were also brought down. Two days prior, the coalition reported intercepting six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and the Red Sea port area of Yanbu. The Iranian-backed rebels have intensified their near-daily assaults on Saudi Arabia since July, following the declaration of a naval blockade on the kingdom.
On Saturday, military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey convened in Riyadh to discuss threats facing the kingdom. They signed a joint defense pact last month, stating that an attack on one member country is treated as an attack on all. Riyadh is also preparing for a busy week with heightened traffic. The Saudi government has previously used its Madrasati online platform to relocate classes from school buildings, most recently for a day in Riyadh and the Eastern Province in December.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Schools in Riyadh move to remote learning without warning amid renewed Saudi-Houthi tensions jpost.com
- Riyadh schools switch to remote learning amid Houthi threat thenationalnews.com
- Riyadh schools to operate remotely for week, AFP reports middleeasteye.net
- Saudi authorities shift schools in Riyadh to remote learning for week: emails to parents nst.com.my
