Saudi Arabia extends airport closure and moves Riyadh schools online as attack threats continue

Saudi Arabia maintained its main international airport closed and shifted Riyadh schools to online learning due to ongoing threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, following a missile attack that killed 12 and injured over 300 people. The recent strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh escalated tensions between the kingdom, backed by Iran, and the Houthis, potentially spurring U.S. involvement in the conflict.

The U.S. President, Donald Trump, considered whether to join Saudi strikes against the rebels, which could prompt the Houthis to halt crucial shipping through a vital waterway and restrict oil exports from the Persian Gulf. The Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for additional attacks on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, though no reports of casualties were immediately available.

Saudi authorities ordered schools in the capital to operate online until the end of the week and extended the airport closure until at least 9 p.m. Sunday. International condemnation followed the latest attack, with Arab countries, the U.N. Secretary-General, and European Commission President all expressing concern over the violence and its destabilizing impact on global transport and energy nodes.