Saudia Arabia: Soldier killed during security operation in Al-Qatif May 16

Event

Clashes between security forces and militants continue in Al-Qatif, Eastern province, where one Saudi soldier was killed and five others were wounded after a militant fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at them while they were patroling in the Al-Masoura district of the city on Tuesday, May 16. The clashes started on Wednesday, April 10, when Saudi security forces launched an operation to clear out the Al-Awamiyah district in order to start a renovation project. According to the government, gunmen opened fire on the construction workers, killing a child and one worker and wounding 14 other people. Local Shi'ite activists contradicted the official statement, claiming that security forces used live ammunition during a raid. Additional violence cannot be ruled out in the coming days.

Context

According to Saudi authorities, the Al-Masoura neighborhood serves as a hideout for Shi'ite militants suspected of attacking security forces and identified by the government as terrorists.

Sporadic clashes between gunmen and security forces often occur in the Eastern province (especially in Qatif and Dammam) and security forces regularly conduct raids in the region. The sociopolitical situation remains tense in Eastern province, which is mostly populated by Shia Muslims. Since 2011, Saudi Shia 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.