News - Middle East: The Saudi regime is deliberately displacing the indigenous population and changing the demographic composition in the Qatif region of eastern Arabia.

"Under the pretext of development and expansion, the Saudi regime is deliberately changing the demographic composition and displacing the indigenous population. Extensive demolition of properties and homes has occurred in the midst of Qatif," tweeted an activist from Qatif.

He highlighted that the act of demolishing homes has led to the displacement of families without receiving adequate and fair compensation for their homes.

A video shared by the activist depicted Saudi regime bulldozers and machinery demolishing homes in Qatif.

Additionally, it was noted that Saudi authorities have closed Revolution Street in the central part of Qatif. This closure began on Tuesday, gradually extending from the Shuwaikah area to the Nasiriyah area. It is for the purposes of demolition, excavation, and displacement.

The activist confirmed that thousands of citizens have been compelled to move to remote areas. He emphasized that the compensation provided is insufficient, especially considering the high property prices within Qatif.

A similar incident took place in the al-Masura district of Qatif in 2017, and many houses were destroyed by bulldozers. In November 2020, Saudi officials also leveled to the ground a Shia Muslim mosque south of al-Awamiyah Town in Qatif.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province has been the scene of peaceful demonstrations since February 2011. Protesters have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression, the release of political prisoners, and an end to economic and religious discrimination against the oil-rich region.

The protests have been met with a heavy-handed crackdown by the regime, whose forces have ramped up measures across the province.

Ever since Mohammed bin Salman became Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader in 2017, the kingdom has ramped up arrests of activists, bloggers, intellectuals, and others perceived as political opponents, showing almost zero tolerance for dissent even in the face of international condemnations of the crackdown.

Muslim scholars have been executed, women’s rights campaigners have been put behind bars and tortured, and freedom of expression, association, and belief continue to be denied.