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)