Saudi Arabia Mandates Remote Work Amid Houthi Missile Attacks

The Government of Saudi Arabia mandated remote work for government agencies in Riyadh from Monday, October 19, through Thursday following intensified missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthis. Private entities, including the Kingdom Centre and companies in the King Abdullah Financial District, also requested that staff work remotely. The security measures follow a surge in strikes on energy facilities, military sites, and airports.

Aviation has been severely disrupted, with over 45% of flight departures across the kingdom canceled since October 8. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh saw a 66% cancellation rate on Monday, despite reopening Sunday after a week-long shutdown. An attack on the airport on October 10 killed between 12 and 13 people, marking the worst strike on Saudi soil in over a decade. Since the start of October, 20 people have died in attacks targeting airports nationwide.

The crisis has forced the postponement of the Future Investment Initiative until 2027 and disrupted Riyadh Fashion Week, the Red Sea Film Festival, and the MDLBEAST Soundstorm music festival. The Saudi-led coalition reported that the Houthis have targeted Riyadh's airport 20 times in October alone. This escalation follows the resumption of conflict in July and the Houthi seizure of Yemen's Red Sea coastline in September.