The Saudi Siege Of The Shia Town Of Awamiyah

Hi folks. Been busy.

Here is some news that has been blacked out almost completely. Just over three months ago a rebellion broke out in a Saudi Arabian town called Awamiyah. The Shia majority town lies in the eastern Saudi province of Qatif. This town was also the home of the Shia cleric and leader (in Saudi Arabia) Sheikh Nimr al Nimr who was executed by the Saudis in January 2016.

For the past three months now the Saudis have blockaded the town, sent warplanes and used artillery against this 30,000 population town. They are trying to chase all the people out of the town before they bulldoze it back into the desert. Here is the story :

Saudi begun war on a town in country’s restive east

battle still raging despite very little media coverage

Awamiyah, 400-year-old town in Eastern Qatif home to 30,000 people

surrounded by siege barricades put up by security services

attempts to evict residents turned violent on 10 May.

situation has rapidly deteriorated.

25 people died in shelling and sniper fire

streets covered in rubble and sewage

media are not allowed near area

heavily-controlled Saudi state media

Grisly photos of destruction of homes and shops

peaceful protester list as wanted terrorists.

they targeted whole city

Govt forces raided houses

Houses destroyed by bombs, heavy shooting, RPGs... everyone a target

Awamiyah sealed off with roadblocks three months ago

security forces brought bulldozers

on orders to demolish and redevelop area.

periodic bouts of unrest since Arab Spring

call for end to discrimination against minority Shia began in 2011.

push to tear down neighborhood

to crack down on rebellious city for good.

heavy clashes between Saudi state and city right now

bodies left in the streets for days

contributing to unlivable conditions

Awamiyah home of Nimr al-Nimr

Shiite cleric executed on terrorism charges last year.

His death led to demonstrations worldwide.

they killed Sheik Nimr, also executed four Shiite, 43 Sunnis

they want to empty town of people full stop

Last Friday, Saudis again issued eviction notices for Awamiyah

to leave through two designated roads

order coupled with intensified fighting

authorities firing randomly at civilians, homes and cars

up to 90% of local population fled, leaving 3,000-5,000 people

UN accused Saudis of forcibly moving residents without resettlement

outside world, largely unaware of turmoil consuming Saudi Arabia’s East.

My comments : The world does not know anything about this. I picked this up from non-traditional news sites. These are their own citizens - their own Arabs, their own religion, their own language and yet they are bombing, shooting and blasting the people (civilians).

And then we have given land to set up a King Salman Centre for International Peace or some crap like that?