Two Saudi military officers were killed when a reconnaissance helicopter crashed in the southern Najran region on Sunday with the Saudi-led coalition attributing the incident to a technical malfunction.

In an official statement, the coalition confirmed that the AH-6i helicopter belonged to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of National Guard and had crashed within Saudi territory.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the accident resulted in the deaths of both officers aboard the aircraft.

The coalition did not identify the officers or provide further details about the circumstances of the crash.

The coalition explicitly attributed the crash to a technical malfunction.

In its statement on the helicopter crash, the Saudi-led coalition expressed condolences to the families of the two officers killed.

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting the southern city of Khamis Mushayt and three drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Province early on Sunday as Houthi attacks on the kingdom continued.

The interceptions came after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued warnings of potential aerial threats in Riyadh, Khamis Mushayt and neighbouring Abha.

On Saturday, Reuters reported that authorities had issued an early warning for Khamis Mushayt and Abha before announcing just four minutes later that the danger had passed.

Saturday also saw further aerial attacks, with the Saudi-led coalition reporting the destruction of four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and southern regions of the kingdom.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki also confirmed that two ballistic missile launchers had been destroyed in Yemen’s northern Saada governorate.

The renewed attacks come amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with missiles and drones targeting airports, energy infrastructure and other strategic facilities.

Earlier this month, attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds, triggering widespread flight disruptions and heightened security measures.

The developments have also prompted renewed international concern, with several countries issuing travel warnings for Saudi Arabia.

Read more: UK now warns Britons against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed that Greek-operated Patriot missile systems remain deployed in Yanbu, helping protect the kingdom’s energy facilities and strategic infrastructure.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Saturday that Cairo was prepared to take necessary defensive measures to support Saudi Arabia if requested.

Dubai Police have arrested eight people suspected of arranging foreign driving licences for customers who allegedly skipped the training and examinations required to qualify for a licence, in a scheme that authorities say exploited international licence exchange agreements.

The suspects allegedly charged Dhs10,000 for each licence, securing documents from a neighbouring country for customers who had not travelled there or completed the necessary driving lessons and tests. The documents could then be presented for exchange for UAE driving licences, a Dubai Police news report said.

Read more: Dubai Police arrest group over fake Google reviews

The arrests followed an investigation by Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation, working with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Foreign licences allegedly used to bypass tests

Dubai Police said the Economic Crimes Department identified how the group allegedly took advantage of arrangements that allow eligible foreign licence holders to exchange their documents for UAE licences without additional training or examinations.

Investigators said the suspects approached potential customers through offices operated by transaction processing companies in the UAE. They allegedly offered to arrange foreign driving licences without requiring applicants to travel overseas, attend driving lessons or sit the required tests.

The documents could subsequently be submitted to the RTA under existing exchange arrangements.

Such agreements are designed to simplify licensing procedures for eligible motorists. However, authorities said the alleged scheme involved obtaining foreign licences without meeting the requirements governing their original issuance.

The investigation highlights how administrative arrangements intended to facilitate legitimate applications can be exploited when the underlying documents have not been obtained lawfully.

Authorities warn of road safety risks

Dubai Police warned that bypassing driving instruction and testing requirements could put other road users at risk.

Driving lessons and examinations are intended to establish whether applicants understand traffic regulations, can control a vehicle and possess the skills needed to respond to changing road conditions.

People who obtain licences without completing these requirements may lack the preparation needed to drive safely, potentially endangering themselves, passengers, pedestrians and other motorists.

The force urged residents to be cautious of individuals and businesses promising driving licences without the necessary lessons, examinations or official procedures.

Applicants could face legal consequences

The potential consequences of the alleged scheme may extend beyond the people accused of arranging the licences.

Dubai Police said individuals who knowingly obtain driving licences through unlawful procedures could also face legal action and penalties.

Authorities stressed that exchanging a foreign licence for a UAE document does not automatically make the original licence legitimate. The completion of an official exchange process does not remove potential liability arising from unlawful conduct during the original application.

The warning underscores the importance of verifying that foreign licences have been issued in accordance with the relevant country’s laws before they are submitted for exchange in the UAE.

Residents urged to avoid unofficial offers

Dubai Police reiterated that international licence exchange agreements apply to legally issued documents that meet the relevant eligibility conditions. They do not allow applicants to circumvent the rules governing the initial issuance of a driving licence.

Residents seeking licences were advised to follow approved procedures and use authorised service providers rather than offers promising to eliminate mandatory requirements.

The force also encouraged the public to report individuals or companies suspected of arranging licences through illegal means, enabling authorities to investigate potential fraud.

The case highlights the distinction between simplifying administrative procedures and bypassing licensing safeguards. Although exchange agreements can reduce the need for additional testing for eligible drivers, applicants must still satisfy the requirements for obtaining their original licences.

Dubai Police said ensuring that motorists are properly trained and qualified remains essential to protecting road users.

The UAE could see limited flight delays and changing weather conditions over the coming days, with reduced visibility, possible rainfall and temperatures reaching 42°C in inland areas, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the National Center of Meteorology (NCM).

The GCAA said on Saturday, October 17, that seasonal weather conditions could reduce horizontal visibility in parts of the country, potentially affecting flight operations.

The authority said the impact on flights would depend on prevailing weather conditions and operational safety requirements.

“Such impacts are part of the operational challenges associated with these weather conditions,” the GCAA said, according to a WAM report.

Read more-UAE weather: NCM forecasts possible rain, fog and dusty conditions from Oct 16 to 20

Airlines and airport operators are implementing measures in line with established operational procedures and aviation safety requirements, the authority added.

Passengers have been advised to follow updates issued by their airlines and airports through official channels for information on any changes to flight schedules.

Temperatures to reach 42°C as rain clouds develop

The NCM forecast partly cloudy skies across the UAE on Saturday, with convective clouds expected to develop over eastern areas in the afternoon, bringing the possibility of rainfall.

The weather is being influenced by an extension of a surface low-pressure system, accompanied by an upper-air low-pressure system, according to the centre’s latest bulletin.

Inland temperatures are expected to range from 37°C to 42°C, while coastal areas and islands could record highs of 35°C to 40°C. Temperatures in mountainous areas are forecast to remain between 28°C and 33°C.

Humidity is expected to rise overnight and into Sunday morning in some coastal and inland areas, increasing the likelihood of fog or mist.

Winds will generally range from 10 to 25 km/hr, occasionally reaching 40 km/h. Stronger gusts could stir up dust, particularly when cloud activity increases.

Sea conditions are forecast to be slight to moderate at times in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.

Rain chances to persist through Wednesday

The unsettled pattern is expected to continue into next week, with further chances of rainfall across parts of the country.

On Sunday, October 18, convective clouds could develop over northern and eastern areas during the afternoon, potentially bringing rain. Humidity overnight and on Monday morning may also lead to fog or mist in some coastal and inland locations.

On Monday, October 19, rainfall is possible over eastern and southern areas. Fog or mist could develop in parts of the west overnight and into Tuesday morning, while winds may reach 40 km/h.

The NCM expects further convective cloud development over eastern and southern areas on Tuesday, October 20, with possible afternoon showers. Winds could reach 50 km/h at times, raising the risk of blowing dust.

By Wednesday, October 21, skies are expected to remain fair to partly cloudy, although rainfall remains possible in eastern and southern areas.

Humidity could increase overnight and into Thursday morning, bringing another chance of fog or mist across some coastal and inland areas.

The NCM expects sea conditions to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea from Sunday through Wednesday.

The UK government has advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia, extending its warning to the entire kingdom as escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement threaten airports, energy infrastructure and major cities.

In an update issued on Friday, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said British nationals should avoid non-essential travel anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

The government also maintained its stricter warning against all travel within 10 kilometres of the Saudi-Yemen border.

The expanded advisory comes amid mounting security concerns following a series of Houthi attacks, including a deadly strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 that killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300 others.

The FCDO warned that airports, military installations, ports and energy infrastructure remain particularly vulnerable, naming Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha, Jizan, Najran and Yanbu among the locations facing heightened threats.

British nationals have also been advised to stay away from King Khalid International Airport until it is deemed secure and to follow instructions from Saudi authorities.

Flight disruption continues across Saudi Arabia

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has faced an extended suspension of operations following the attacks, with an aviation notice issued earlier this week indicating that the airport would remain closed until 9pm GMT on October 17.

International carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and several European and Asian airlines, have cancelled or suspended services to Saudi destinations.

The FCDO has urged British nationals already in Saudi Arabia to check their flight status before heading to airports and consider travelling overland to neighbouring countries if they wish to leave, provided it is safe to do so.

Read more: Saudi flight cancellations: Latest list of affected airlines and routes

Travellers have also been warned to check entry requirements and border-crossing arrangements before attempting such journeys.

Travel insurance and safety concerns

The UK government cautioned that travel insurance could be invalidated if travellers visit destinations against FCDO advice.

British nationals have been urged to avoid military facilities and oil infrastructure, monitor local emergency alerts and seek shelter indoors if instructed by Saudi authorities.

The latest guidance is available on the UK government’s official Saudi Arabia travel advice page.