Schools across Riyadh have shifted to remote learning for one week following a last-minute directive from Saudi authorities.
Parents received emails from schools on Sunday informing them that in-person classes would remain suspended throughout the week.
Schools Notify Parents of Sudden Closure
Two separate school messages reviewed by AFP said authorities had instructed schools to remain closed for the entire week.
The messages did not provide an official reason for the decision.
The sudden announcement left some parents seeking clearer information about the situation.
One parent in Riyadh said families deserved transparency when decisions affect an entire school community.
A Lebanese expatriate living in Riyadh described the decision as unexpected and said families were unsure about the circumstances.
Move Comes Amid Security Concerns
The decision comes amid heightened tensions across the Gulf region.
Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen have carried out repeated attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
A Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said on Saturday that it had intercepted drones and ballistic missiles targeting the kingdom.
The reported attacks are part of an escalation that has intensified since July.
Renewed fighting has disrupted a years-long truce and added to wider tensions across the Middle East.
UN Condemns Attacks on Saudi Arabia
The United Nations Security Council has also condemned the escalating attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.
The council noted that civilians, including women and children, have been wounded in the attacks.
Saudi authorities have not publicly provided a specific reason for shifting Riyadh schools to remote learning.
Students are expected to continue their classes online during the week while authorities monitor the security situation.
