The Saudi government has authorized the use of lethal force to clear land for a futuristic desert city project spearheaded by Western companies, disclosed an ex-intelligence officer to the BBC. Colonel Rabih Alenezi, formerly with Saudi intelligence, disclosed that he was instructed to forcibly remove villagers from a tribe in Saudi Arabia to make room for The Line, a component of the Neom eco-project. Shockingly, one villager was fatally shot for protesting against the eviction. Both the Saudi government and Neom management declined to comment on the matter.
Neom, a $500 billion eco-region initiative, is a critical component of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy beyond oil. The Line, its flagship project, envisions a car-free city spanning 170 kilometers in length. Despite ambitious plans, only a fraction of the project is projected for completion by 2030.
The construction of Neom has displaced over 6,000 individuals, with some estimates suggesting a higher figure, according to UK-based human rights group ALOST. Satellite imagery confirms the demolition of villages, including al-Khuraybah, Sharma, and Gayal, erasing homes, schools, and hospitals from the landscape.
Colonel Alenezi, who sought refuge in the UK, revealed details of the eviction order issued for al-Khuraybah. Tragically, Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, a resident who resisted eviction, was fatally shot by Saudi authorities during the clearance operation, according to the BBC. The government alleges that al-Huwaiti opened fire on security forces, a claim refuted by human rights organizations and the UN.
The use of lethal force and subsequent arrests of villagers have sparked widespread condemnation. Despite assurances of compensation from Saudi authorities, many displaced individuals have not received adequate compensation or warning. Moreover, those voicing dissent risk arrest and persecution, as seen in cases related to the Jeddah Central project.
Colonel Alenezi’s decision to speak out against injustices underscores growing concerns in some corners of the West about Saudi Arabia’s aggressive development projects and its treatment of dissent.