Saudi Arabia has moved all schools in Riyadh to remote learning for a week after a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Parents in the Saudi capital received urgent emails on September 27 informing them that in-person classes would be suspended from Sunday until October 1, with lessons continuing through the Madrasati online platform. Saudi authorities did not publicly give a reason, but the decision came just hours after air defenses intercepted attacks targeting the kingdom.

According to the Saudi-led coalition, its forces intercepted two ballistic missiles heading towards Khamis Mushait and two drones directed towards Riyadh on Saturday evening. The missiles and drones were launched by the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which controls Yemen's capital Sanaa and much of the north.

Saudi civil defence also issued overnight alerts for Khamis Mushait and Abha, raising security concerns across the kingdom. The coalition said it continues to monitor threats originating from Yemen.

This marks a major escalation. The Houthis have stepped up attacks against Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and Red Sea shipping in recent weeks. The group has previously claimed attacks on Aramco facilities in Yanbu and King Khalid Air Base, and declared a naval blockade against Saudi vessels.

The international community has reacted strongly. The UN Security Council condemned the Houthi escalation "in the strongest terms," while the Gulf Cooperation Council called it a violation of Saudi sovereignty. France has pledged military assistance to help defend the oil-refining hub of Yanbu.

The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government against the Houthis since 2015. Despite years of conflict, cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities have increased again in September.

For the thousands of Kenyans living and working in Riyadh, the development has caused anxiety. Schools have told both students and staff to stay away from classrooms until security improves.

Saudi authorities have not yet said when in-person learning will resume, but monitoring of missile and drone threats continues.