Saudi Arabia: Two dead and several injured in police raid in Awamiya May 10

Event

Two people – one man wanted by the authorities and one Indian national – were killed by Saudi Arabia security forces during a raid in Awamiya in the Qatif district, a Shi’ite district in the east of the country, on Wednesday, May 10. The raid led to clashes with security forces and several people were injured. Further details concerning the raid and associated casualties are sketchy. According to local activists, Saudi security forces entered the old city of Awamiya backed by bulldozers. Saudi authorities reported that the old city is a hideout for Shi'a militants suspected of attacking security forces.

Sporadic clashes between gunmen and security forces often occur in Qatif and Dammam and security forces often conduct raids in the region. Further police operations and clashes are possible in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Context

Qatif district is part of the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, which is mainly populated by Shi’a Muslims. The sociopolitical situation remains tense in Eastern province. Since 2011, Saudi Shi'a Muslims have staged numerous demonstrations against what they see as their systematic economic marginalization by the central government. Localized sporadic unrest is fairly common in the east of the country.

Advice

Individuals in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia are advised to avoid any form of gatherings and to closely monitor the situation.

More generally, given the prevailing terrorist risk in Saudi Arabia, those present in the country are advised to exercise caution at all times, to keep a low profile, and to avoid public places lacking adequate security measures or locations deemed particularly likely to be targeted in the event of an attack (e.g., official buildings, military zones, etc.). Report all suspicious objects or behavior to authorities.

As a reminder, the majority of Western governments advise their nationals against travel to Saudi Arabia's southern provinces as well as areas near the Iraqi border. US authorities have specifically restricted American government personnel and their families from traveling within 80 km (50 mi) of the Yemeni border as well as to the cities of Jizan and Najran without authorization. Due to the risk of sporadic outbreaks of violence, the American government also prohibits its personnel from traveling to Qatif and surrounding suburbs as well as to Hofuf and surrounding suburbs (Eastern province). Travelers are advised to take the above restrictions into consideration.