Saudi closes Riyadh skyscraper as chopper pilots killed near Yemen

The Kingdom Centre, a towering 99-story skyscraper in Riyadh, has mandated remote work for its tenants in the wake of multiple Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Two helicopter pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border, according to the Saudi-led coalition. The strike follows a Houthi claim of shooting down an Apache helicopter belonging to the Saudi military.

The 13-story mall at the base of the building remains open. The conflict has reignited due to the ongoing US-Iran war, with both sides reporting frequent attacks. The Saudi coalition's decade-long war with the Iran-backed Houthis has intensified, with regular attacks reported by both parties. Tenants such as Merrill Lynch, McKinsey, and the International Monetary Fund have been instructed to work remotely until further notice.

The escalation of violence has led to schools extending remote learning measures, and Riyadh's airport remains closed following the recent attack. Egypt is considering providing support to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi aggression, as the conflict continues to escalate.