{
  "id": 10196111,
  "title": "Riyadh schools switch to remote learning amid Houthi threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/riyadh-schools-switch-to-remote-learning-amid-houthi-threat-10196111",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T10:32:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/27/riyadh-schools-switch-to-remote-learning-for-a-week/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Schools in Riyadh have announced that classes will transition to remote learning for the remainder of the week. This sudden decision, without explanation from Saudi authorities, has been communicated to parents via email on Saturday, with lessons scheduled from Sunday to Thursday. At least three different schools have sent these messages, though no reason has been provided for the change. There has been no official statement from the Ministry of Education regarding a city-wide implementation of this measure. The switch to online classes occurs during a tense period for the kingdom. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen reported on Saturday that its air defenses had shot down two drones aimed at Riyadh, along with two ballistic missiles launched towards the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait. Two days prior, the coalition claimed to have neutralized six ballistic missiles targeting Taif and the Red Sea port of Yanbu. In the previous week, Iran-backed rebels intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, with the rebels declaring a naval blockade of the kingdom in July. On Saturday, military leaders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey convened in Riyadh to discuss the security threats facing the kingdom. They signed a joint defense pact last month, stipulating that an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. Additionally, Riyadh is set to host a busy week of events, with heavy traffic expected. The Saudi government has previously utilized its Madrasati online platform to relocate classes from school buildings, most recently for a single day in Riyadh and the Eastern Province in December.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Riyadh schools to operate remotely for week, AFP reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/riyadh-schools-to-operate-remotely-for-week-afp-reports",
        "published": "2026-09-27T04:31:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Saudi authorities shift schools in Riyadh to remote learning for week: emails to parents",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/saudi-authorities-shift-schools-in-riyadh-to-remote-learning-for-week",
        "published": "2026-09-27T04:45:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Schools in Riyadh move to remote learning without warning amid renewed Saudi-Houthi tensions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/schools-in-riyadh-move-to-remote-learning-without-warning-amid",
        "published": "2026-09-27T09:02:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Riyadh schools switch to remote learning amid Houthi threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/riyadh-schools-switch-to-remote-learning-amid-houthi-threat",
        "published": "2026-09-27T10:32:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}