Saudi security forces have reportedly carried out a new campaign of arrests in the Huwaitat village of Al-Kharibat in north-west Saudi Arabia, the proposed site of the Neom megacity project.
The arrests come after months of intimidation, detentions and one killing by the Saudi regime as they seek to remove 20,000 residents, mainly of the Huwaitat tribe, from the land to make way for Neom.
Reports indicate those arrested are relatives of Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, a community leader who was killed by security forces in a shootout by his home in April.
They include the wife of Abdul Nasser al-Hawti, who had already been detained by Saudi forces, and his brothers, Abdul Rahim and Mahmoud.
These are the latest arrests of Huwaitat by the Saudi regime, which needs the land cleared to make way for the beleaguered Neom project.
Back in October, Saudi Arabia detained two other members of the Huwaitat tribe. Its killing of Huwaiti also made international headlines, and has become a key reason for many global businesses refusing to take part in the project.
However, Saudi Arabia and its de facto ruler, crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, seem unable to understand that its brutality and assaults on human rights are a significant reason for its lack of investors and partners.
