Clashes Between Unknown Individuals and Police in Shia-Dominated Area of Saudi Arabia

Reports indicate clashes between unknown individuals and police in the Shia-dominated and oil-rich eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Reuters, citing the Saudi state news agency, reported that unknown assailants on Sunday, April 16, attacked in the city of Awamiya located in the Qatif region of eastern Saudi Arabia, resulting in the death of one police officer and injuries to three others. The Saudi state news agency reported: 'In this armed conflict, Corporal Majid bin Turki Al-Qahtani was injured and died in the hospital due to the severity of his injuries... In this clash, three security forces, one Saudi citizen, and one foreigner also sustained minor injuries.' The news agency added that government forces have launched a search operation to find 'terrorist elements' and have seized quantities of automatic weapons, handguns, and communication equipment. According to this news agency, four Saudi citizens have been arrested following the clash with police forces. Tensions in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, which is an oil-rich region, have been on the rise. This province is one of the main centers of Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia, and the increase in tensions in this area comes at a time when conflicts between Shia and Sunni groups have been escalating in neighboring countries such as Yemen, Iraq, and Syria. Saudi security forces killed four militants in a clash in the Awamiya region last December. This area has been the focal point of unrest among Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia since protests began in early 2011. Protesters have called for an end to 'discrimination' against the Shia minority and for democratic reforms in the Sunni monarchy of the country. Since the onset of the conflicts in early 2011, more than 20 people have been killed, most of whom are locals shot during clashes that the Saudi police refer to as 'exchange of fire with militants.' Shia human rights activists believe that some victims were shot during peaceful protests. The Saudi government denies this. Saudi Arabia has also recently begun airstrikes in Yemen, where since last December, Shia Houthi rebels backed by Iran have taken control of large parts of the country, including the capital, Sana'a. Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, the President of Yemen, who fled to Saudi Arabia after the advance of the Shia rebels towards Aden in the south of the country, has referred to the Houthis as 'Iran's puppet' and has called for greater Arab military intervention to defeat the Houthis. Saudi Arabia is currently conducting airstrikes against the Shia rebels in Yemen, a situation that has led to strong protests from Iran.