Riyadh schools move online for a week

Schools across Riyadh are moving to remote learning for a week after parents received messages saying Saudi authorities had ordered schools to remain closed, according to emails seen by AFP.

The messages, sent on Sunday, said schools had just been informed by Saudi authorities that they must remain closed all week. They did not give an official reason.

The decision came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and near-daily attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen. A day earlier, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said it had intercepted drones and ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom.

One parent in Riyadh told AFP that families deserved clear communication about a decision affecting an entire school community for a full week. A Lebanese expatriate living in the city said families had no idea what was happening.

The UN Security Council earlier condemned escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and said the strikes had wounded civilians, including women and children.