Saudi coalition and Houthis exchange strikes as conflict disrupts Riyadh and Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthis exchanged strikes on Sunday, extending the fighting that has affected residents of Riyadh and war-torn Yemen. Following a security alert and two drone interceptions near the capital, the management of the Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered mandatory remote work for all office tenants until further notice. The building’s management said in an email, "Please be advised that remote working arrangements are mandatory for all office employees at Kingdom Centre, effective immediately and until further notice." The mall at the base of the tower remained open.

In Yemen, the coalition reported an airstrike in Saada governorate that killed at least nine people and wounded 16, according to the Houthis' Saba news agency. The coalition also announced that two pilots died when their helicopter crashed in Najran near the Yemen border, while the Houthis claimed to have downed an Apache helicopter in the same area. The coalition attributed the crash to a technical malfunction, marking its first military fatalities since the conflict resumed in July.

Saudi civil defence officials said a Houthi projectile injured at least six people in Najran, and the kingdom intercepted two ballistic missiles in its southern region. Threat alerts for Najran city and As Sulayyil governorate were briefly issued and then cancelled.

Egyptian parliament postponed a vote on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request to authorize military support for Saudi Arabia, extending deliberations to Monday. Iran’s newly appointed defence minister warned of "enormous damage" if the United States resumes its campaign.

The hostilities were discussed at a meeting between Russian and Saudi foreign ministers on the sidelines of a Gulf-Russia summit in Manama, and Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to review regional developments. French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s Gulf tour.