Story perspectives

Riyadh’s Kingdom Centre Orders Immediate Remote Work for Tenants

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 10:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kingdom Centre tower ordered mandatory remote work for all office tenants.
The order took effect immediately on Oct 18 2026 after an alert and drone interceptions near Riyadh.
Tenants such as the IMF, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey shifted to remote work while the mall remains open.
King Khalid International Airport stayed closed after a Houthi strike killed 13 people the week before.

History

Historical Context

In September 2019 Houthi drones hit Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq and Khurais plants, cutting output by about 5.7 million barrels per day and revealing air-defence gaps. Saudi officials and the U.S. responded with Patriot missiles and stricter emergency protocols at oil sites and airports. On October 18 2026 the Kingdom Centre ordered all tenants—including the IMF and Merrill Lynch—to work remotely after drone alerts near Riyadh.

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Story summary

Kingdom Centre tower ordered mandatory remote work for all office tenants.
The order took effect immediately on Oct 18 2026 after an alert and drone interceptions near Riyadh.
Tenants such as the IMF, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey shifted to remote work while the mall remains open.
King Khalid International Airport stayed closed after a Houthi strike killed 13 people the week before.

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