Riyadh Skyscraper Orders Remote Work Amid Houthi Attacks

One of Saudi Arabia's most recognizable skyscrapers, the Kingdom Centre, ordered office workers to stay home on Sunday amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels that have rattled the capital of Riyadh and raised fears of a widening Middle East conflict. The directive affects tenants in the 99-story building, including major international financial institutions, consulting firms, and the International Monetary Fund.

Building management informed employees via email that remote working arrangements are mandatory until further notice, though the shopping mall at the base of the tower remained open to the public. The reason for the directive was not explicitly stated, but it follows a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting the Saudi capital.

The Saudi-led coalition announced it had intercepted two drones near Riyadh, a third drone over the Eastern Province, and two ballistic missiles in southern Saudi Arabia overnight. This comes after authorities had previously issued a threat alert for the capital. The security concerns are amplified by recent attacks on airports; an Oct. 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries. Another strike the following day claimed one life and injured 11 others, severely disrupting airport operations.

Schools in Riyadh have also extended remote learning measures due to the ongoing security threats. In a separate incident, the Saudi military reported two fatalities in a helicopter crash in the Najran region near the Yemeni border, attributed to a technical malfunction. Civil defense authorities in Najran also reported that six people were injured when a projectile struck a residential neighborhood, damaging homes and vehicles.

Amid the heightened tensions, Egypt is considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has requested an emergency parliamentary session to authorize defensive military support for Saudi Arabia if requested by Riyadh. Lawmakers were expected to discuss the matter further. The Egyptian presidency stated that Cairo is prepared to offer necessary support to defend Saudi Arabia's security, stability, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites.

The Houthi rebels, who control Yemen's capital Sanaa and much of the country's north, have intensified fighting with the Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government. This escalation occurs within the broader context of U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.