{
  "id": 15444287,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T15:54:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/saudi-chopper-pilots-killed-landmark-tower-closes-offices-amid-houthi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Saudi helicopter tragically crashed in the Najran region, resulting in the loss of both crew members, according to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki reported on Sunday that the AH-6i helicopter experienced a technical failure in an area under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of National Guard control.\n\nHowever, the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, presented a contrasting narrative. Their military spokesman, Yahya Saree, claimed that Houthi forces had engaged in an aerial attack, shooting down a Saudi Apache helicopter near Najran while it was engaged in operations against Houthi positions along the border.\n\nIn response to the escalating conflict, management at Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre, a landmark tower, has instructed office staff to work remotely until further notice. The building's exterior was illuminated in the colors of the Saudi flag during the celebrations marking the 96th Saudi National Day on September 23, 2026.",
  "summary": "Saudi chopper pilots killed as landmark tower closes offices amid Houthi fighting A Saudi helicopter has crashed in the Najran region, killing both crew members, according to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen . Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said on Sunday that the AH-6i helicopter had crashed due to a technical fault in an area under the responsibility of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "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": "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",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:21:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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": "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"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}