Saudi early warning system was silent ahead of deadly Riyadh airport attacks
Four Western and Arab officials in the region and political analysts told Reuters that the absence of warnings before the strikes that killed at least 18 people reflected efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy while avoiding public alarm
A video of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi, has gone viral on social media after an emergency alert interrupted his speech at the 12th Riyadh Economic Forum. Despite the alert sounding on attendees' mobile phones, Al Rajhi remained at his podium, delivering a message of faith and reassurance.
He appealed to God to turn their plots against them and emphasized the protection they enjoyed under the Lord of the Worlds. The audience responded with applause before he continued his address. The incident occurred amid heightened security concerns following recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The 12th Riyadh Economic Forum, held from October 12 to 14 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, is a three-day event that gathers government officials, business leaders, academics, and economic experts to discuss challenges facing the Saudi economy and propose solutions to support its growth. Topics covered this year include artificial intelligence, food and water security, and national talent development.
The forum, established in 2003, has previously focused on economic development, investment, and policy recommendations.
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