Saudi Kingdom Centre orders remote work as helicopter crash kills pilots near Yemen border

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 National Guard. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, offered a different account. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said Houthi forces had shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter near Najran while it was carrying out operations against Houthi positions along the border. Meanwhile, management at Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre has ordered office staff to work remotely until further notice. Read more: Saudi chopper pilots killed as landmark tower closes offices amid Houthi fighting The Kingdom Centre skyscraper is illuminated in the colours of the Saudi flag during celebrations marking the 96th Saudi National Day in Riyadh on 23 September 2026 (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)

Saudi chopper pilots killed as landmark tower closes offices amid Houthi fighting Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 10/18/2026 - 14:03 The crash comes as fighting intensifies in Yemen and Egypt pledges support for Saudi Arabia amid mounting regional tensions The Kingdom Centre skyscraper is illuminated in the colours of the Saudi flag during celebrations marking the 96th Saudi National Day in Riyadh on 23 September 2026 (Fayez Nureldine/AFP) Off 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 National Guard. The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, offered a different account. The group’s military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said Houthi forces had shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter near Najran while it was carrying out operations against Houthi positions along the border. Meanwhile, management at Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre has ordered office staff to work remotely until further notice. “All office staff at Kingdom Centre are required to work remotely, effective immediately and until further notice,” management said in an email late on Saturday. Kingdom Centre is one of Riyadh’s best-known landmarks. It houses offices for major international institutions and companies. The 99-storey tower’s luxury shopping centre remains open. The move comes as fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Houthi movement intensifies. Houthi strikes mark the end of Saudi Arabia's Yemen 'containment strategy' Read More » Heavy hostilities have continued in al-Jawf province, east of the capital, Sanaa, as well as on the southern front in Marib province and in Taiz, southwestern Yemen.  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pledged “all necessary and possible forms of support” to protect Saudi Arabia during an emergency meeting of the National Defence Council on Sunday. Egypt would support the kingdom in defending its security, stability, resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. Sisi also called for an urgent parliamentary session to authorise military assistance to Saudi Arabia should Riyadh request it. The session was due to take place later on Sunday. The conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis escalated in July after years of relative calm. Fighting intensified earlier this month, with both sides exchanging strikes targeting key civilian and energy infrastructure. At least 1,282 people were killed across several fronts in Yemen between August and 16 October, according to the World Health Organization. At least 19 people have been killed and 364 injured in Saudi Arabia, according to the coalition. More than 230,000 people have been newly displaced within Yemen since August, the International Organization for Migration said. Yemen War News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

RIYADH — Riyadh's Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition said two pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border. The imposing, 99-story landmark announced "mandatory" remote working until further notice. No reason was given for the order, but it comes a week after 13 people were killed in a major Houthi attack on Riyadh's international airport. The Saudi coalition's decade-plus war with the Iran-backed Houthis has reignited during the U.S.-Iran war, with regular attacks reported by both sides. Tenants of the Kingdom Centre, which towers over central Riyadh, include financial services giant Merril Lynch, management consultancy McKinsey and the International Monetary Fund. "Please be advised that remote working arrangements are mandatory for all office employees at Kingdom Centre, effective immediately and until further notice," the building's management said in an email seen by AFP. "Kindly refrain from attending the offices during this period," it added. The mall at

Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition said two pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border. The imposing, 99-storey landmark announced “mandatory” remote working until further notice. No reason was given for the order, but it comes a week after 13 people were killed in a major Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport. The Saudi coalition’s decade-plus war...

Riyadh's Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition said two pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border.

Riyadh's Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition said two pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border. The imposing, 99-storey landmark announced "mandatory" remote working until further notice. No reason was given for the order, but it comes a week after 13 people were killed in a major Houthi attack on Riyadh's international airport.

Riyadh's landmark Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday as disruption spread from Houthi attacks and the Saudi-led coalition announced its first military deaths since the war reignited. The 99-storey tower, one of Saudi Arabia's tallest buildings, announced "mandatory" remote working until further notice. No reason was given for the order, but it follows a fresh security alert and two drone interceptions around the capital.

RIYADH — Riyadh’s Kingdom Center skyscraper ordered remote working for office tenants on Sunday following repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi-led coalition said two pilots were killed in a crash near the Yemen border. The imposing, 99-storey landmark announced “mandatory” remote working until further notice. No reason was given for the order, but it comes a week after 13 people were killed in a major Houthi attack on Riyadh’s international airport. The Saudi coalition’s decade-plus war with the Iran-backed Houthis has reignited during the US-Iran war, with regular attacks reported by both sides. READ: Saudi Arabia reports incoming fire […]...Keep on reading: Saudi landmark closes offices, chopper pilots killed near Yemen