Riyadh. A big news has come from Saudi Arabia. Schools in the capital Riyadh have been given online classes for one week. That means children and teachers will take classes from home and studies will take place online only. It is being told that parents suddenly got this information on Sunday amid increasing threat of drone and missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen. Although officials did not give any reason for the decision, this step has been taken amid increasing attacks on Saudi Arabia.
According to the agency, emails have been sent to parents from schools across Riyadh. It was written in two separate messages that we have just been told by Saudi officials that schools will remain closed for the whole week. Children will now study through Madrasati online platform. Teachers and staff have also been asked to work from home. The Education Ministry has not made any public statement at this time.
parents angry and upset
Many parents said the decision came very suddenly. A parent, who did not wish to be named, said that when the entire school is being closed for a week, families should be given a clear reason. A Lebanese citizen living in Riyadh said that this was a last-minute decision. We do not understand what is happening.
The attacks were stopped a day earlier
The decision to close the schools came the day after Saturday's attacks. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two drones and two ballistic missiles fired from Yemen. The drones were headed towards Riyadh and the missiles towards the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, where there is a large airbase. Saudi Civil Defense issued an overnight alert for Khamis Mushait and the nearby city of Abha. There was no alert for Riyadh. The coalition said the army is constantly monitoring the threat coming from Yemen.
Fighting started again from July
These attacks are part of the tension that has been going on since July. Before that there was peace between Saudi Arabia and Houthis for about four years. The peace broke down in July and Yemen again became involved in major fighting in the Middle East. The Houthis control Yemen's most populous areas, especially the north and the capital Sanaa. As fighting in the region escalated, they expanded attacks beyond Yemen's borders to Saudi cities, oil facilities and ships.
The UN Security Council has previously condemned Houthi attacks. The council said civilians, including women and children, were injured in these attacks. Earlier this month, 13 civilians were injured in attacks on Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif. Houses and vehicles were also damaged. More than 1 lakh 20 thousand people have been displaced inside Yemen.
Why is Riyadh worried?
Saudi Arabia is a major center of world oil trade. The obstruction on its territory or sea route does not remain limited to the country only, it affects the entire world. The Houthi campaign includes Saudi cities, energy facilities and ships operating in the Red Sea. In July the group announced a naval blockade against Riyadh. After that the attacks on major sea routes intensified. There was also a claim of targeting the holy city of Mecca.
The Red Sea is another major route for Gulf oil exporters. The Strait of Hormuz is already affected. Further blockage in the Red Sea could further increase the pressure on oil supply. This is the reason why schools in the capital Riyadh have been temporarily shifted to home learning.