Riyadh schools switch to remote learning amid Houthi threat

Riyadh schools have decided to switch to remote learning for the remainder of the week, in an unexpected move that the Saudi government has not explained. On Saturday, several schools in the Saudi capital sent messages to parents informing them that lessons would be held remotely from Sunday to Thursday, without providing a reason for the decision.

The National has observed at least three such notices from three distinct institutions, though none detailed the rationale behind the change. There has been no official declaration of a comprehensive measure affecting schools throughout the city, and the Ministry of Education has not issued a public statement. The switch occurs during a tense period for the kingdom.

The Saudi-led coalition combating in Yemen declared on Saturday morning that its air defenses had successfully intercepted and destroyed two drones launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh. Additionally, the coalition reported that two ballistic missiles fired at Khamis Mushait were neutralized. Two days prior, the coalition announced the interception of six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

The Iran-backed rebels have intensified their near-daily assaults on Saudi Arabia since July, when they announced a naval blockade on the kingdom. The military leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey convened in Riyadh the day before Saturday's interceptions to deliberate on the threats facing the kingdom. They signed a joint defense pact last month, stipulating that an attack on one party is considered an attack on all.

Riyadh is also gearing up for a busy week of events, with traffic anticipated to be particularly heavy. In the past, Saudi Arabia has utilized its Madrasati online platform to relocate classes out of school buildings, most recently for a single day in Riyadh and the Eastern Province in December.