Saudi Arabia: Suspected Shi’a terrorist killed near Awamiya January 15

Event

A Saudi Shi’a was killed by Saudi security forces on the evening of Monday, January 15, between the towns of Awamiya and Qudaih in Eastern Province. Police reportedly tried to stop a car with false license plates when the driver opened fire on the officers. The man was shot in response.

The car reportedly contained weapons and ammunition, leading the authorities to classify the victim as a “suspected terrorist.” Shi’a online newspaper Mirat al-Jazeera contested the classification, arguing that the man had never appeared on any official document listing suspected terrorists.

Protests may erupt in the comings days in the Eastern Province to denounce the killing and the more general discrimination of the Shi’a minority in the country.

Context

Eastern Province is home to numerous Shi'a militants classified by the Saudi government as terrorists. Sporadic clashes between these militants and security forces occur frequently in the province (especially in Qatif and Dammam) and security forces regularly conduct raids in the region.

Tensions have recently intensified in the town of Awamiya, where the Saudi authorities demolished the historic center to construct modern buildings. The Saudi government claimed that Shi'a gunmen exploited the neighborhood's narrow streets for cover in urban guerrilla attacks. About 488 homes were demolished in the Shi'a-majority neighborhood in mid-2017, and at least 24 people were killed in violence between Shi'a gunmen and security forces.

Advice

Individuals in the Eastern Province are advised to avoid any form of gatherings and to monitor the situation.