Diplomats, schools in Saudi capital take shelter: diplomats, residents

Published: 12:42 PM, Oct 08, 2026

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces ride in the back of a military truck at the Jabal Han front west of the city of Taiz following fierce battles earlier in the day as Yemen's Houthis reportedly attempted to seize control of the main route between the inland city of Taiz and the coastal city of Aden, on October 3, 2026. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on October 4, 2026, cut a vital supply route linking Taiz with Aden -- the interim capital of the internationally recognised government -- according to four security sources. The Houthi advance follows days of heavy fighting in and around the city of Taiz between the group and government forces.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Diplomats were instructed to shelter in place in their respective embassies in the Saudi capital on Thursday, diplomats told AFP, as residents said international schools were also taking precautions, with at least one facility sending children into a basement for safety.

The measures came after repeated blasts were heard in the city, in one of the loudest disturbances since the beginning of the Middle East war.

Two people working in Riyadh's business hub -- the King Abdullah Financial District -- also told AFP that some companies were evacuating staff from the area.

Yemen's Ansar Allah is have announced attacks against the Saudi capital on a near daily basis in recent days, as fighting between the kingdom and the group continues to escalate.

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