{
  "id": 15418455,
  "title": "Saudi chopper pilots killed as landmark tower closes offices amid Houthi fighting",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-chopper-pilots-killed-as-landmark-tower-closes-offices-amid",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T13:21:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-chopper-pilots-killed-riyadh-landmark-tower-closes-offices-amid-houthi-fighting"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two helicopter pilots from the Saudi-led coalition were killed on Sunday when their AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region of Yemen, according to the coalition. Both crew members perished in the accident, which authorities reported as due to a technical fault in a region overseen by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of National Guard. The Houthi group, also referred to as Ansar Allah, claimed responsibility for the downing of the Apache helicopter while it was engaged in operations against Houthi positions near the border with Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the management of Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre, a prominent landmark housing international offices and companies, has instructed all staff to work remotely indefinitely.",
  "summary": "Saudi chopper pilots killed as landmark tower closes offices amid Houthi fighting Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 10/18/2026 - 14:03 The crash comes as fighting intensifies in Yemen and Egypt pledges support for Saudi Arabia amid mounting regional tensions The Kingdom Centre skyscraper is illuminated in the colours of the Saudi flag during celebrations marking the 96th Saudi National Day in Riyadh…",
  "key_points": [
    "Two Saudi helicopter pilots killed in Yemen crash",
    "AH-6i helicopter downed due to technical fault",
    "Riyadh's Kingdom Centre staff work remotely indefinitely"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/15418455.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Saudi landmark closes offices after repeated Houthi attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-landmark-closes-offices-after-repeated-houthi-attacks",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:04:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Saudi skyscraper closes offices as Houthi disruption spreads",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-skyscraper-closes-offices-as-houthi-disruption-spreads",
        "published": "2026-10-18T10:30:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Saudi Helicopter crash near Yemeni border kills 2 amid escalating Houthi attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-helicopter-crash-near-yemeni-border-kills-2-amid-escalating",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:35:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Saudi skyscraper closes offices as Houthi disruption spreads",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-skyscraper-closes-offices-as-houthi-disruption-spreads-15428539",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:46:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Egypt says ready to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support amid Houthi conflict",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/egypt-says-ready-to-provide-saudi-arabia-with-necessary-support-amid",
        "published": "2026-10-18T15:09:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Saudi chopper pilots killed as landmark tower closes offices amid Houthi fighting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-chopper-pilots-killed-as-landmark-tower-closes-offices-amid-15444287",
        "published": "2026-10-18T15:54:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia sends skyscraper employees home amid Houthi threats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/saudi-arabia-sends-skyscraper-employees-home-amid-houthi-threats",
        "published": "2026-10-18T16:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Egypt’s top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/egypts-top-security-body-agrees-to-help-saudi-arabia-defend-itself",
        "published": "2026-10-18T18:17:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/egypts-top-security-body-agrees-to-help-saudi-arabia-defend-itself-15474490",
        "published": "2026-10-18T18:59:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/egypts-top-security-body-agrees-to-help-saudi-arabia-defend-itself-15474622",
        "published": "2026-10-18T19:22:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}