The branch of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Saudi Arabia has called for the ethnic cleansing of Shiites from the Arabian Peninsula. According to a report on Saturday, June 9, by Reuters, the 'Site,' a monitoring organization in the U.S., has announced that the ISIS branch in Saudi Arabia has also urged Saudi youth to take action by joining the group to achieve this goal. In a 13-minute audio file, the spokesperson for the ISIS branch in Saudi Arabia addressed the people of Saudi Arabia, saying: 'Kill all enemies of Islam, especially Shiites.' He added: 'Perhaps if these polytheists live in the peninsula of Muhammad.' The spokesperson emphasized that they are polytheists and apostates, and it is obligatory to shed their blood; their money and assets should be taken. It is our duty to kill them and... cleanse the land of their impure beliefs. The Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia lives in the eastern part of the country and in oil-rich regions. So far, two attacks on Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia on June 1 and June 8 have been carried out by ISIS, resulting in at least 25 deaths. Last fall, in an armed attack on Ashura ceremonies in the Al-Dalwa region in eastern Saudi Arabia, at least eight people were killed. According to Reuters, although the spokesperson for the ISIS branch in Saudi Arabia mentioned the suicide attack on June 1 against Shiite worshippers in a village near Qatif, he did not refer to the attack on June 8 in Dammam. The Saudi government has called the attacks on Shiites a terrorist act and announced that it will do everything possible to pursue and punish the perpetrators of these attacks. The spokesperson for the ISIS branch in Saudi Arabia has urged Saudi youth to join the group to eliminate the 'Shiite threat,' as King Salman of Saudi Arabia is unable to protect them. He told Saudi youth: 'They have sparked the flame, but you must ignite a fire that burns the faces of the Rafidis (Shiites) and apostates.' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, previously stated in an audio file on May 22 that the rulers of Saudi Arabia have 'lost their legitimacy' and 'their end is near.' The voice attributed to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi says: 'They {the rulers of Saudi Arabia} have lost their claimed legitimacy. When they felt that their masters, the Crusaders and Jews, had replaced the Rafidis (Shiites), they launched their alleged war against the Rafidis in Yemen.' Al-Baghdadi's reference to the war in Yemen pertains to the airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi positions in Yemen. For over two months, Saudi Arabia and its allied countries have been conducting airstrikes against the positions of the Shiite Houthi militants in Yemen.
ISIS Branch in Saudi Arabia Calls for Ethnic Cleansing of Shiites from the Country
The ISIS branch in Saudi Arabia has called for the ethnic cleansing of Shiites, urging Saudi youth to join their cause. This follows recent attacks on Shiite mosques that resulted in numerous casualties. The situation highlights the ongoing sectarian tensions and the threat posed by extremist groups in the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The ISIS branch in Saudi Arabia has called for the ethnic cleansing of Shiites, urging local youth to join their violent campaign. This follows recent attacks on Shiite mosques that resulted in significant casualties.
- Two recent attacks on Shiite mosques resulted in at least 25 deaths.
- ISIS has called for violence against Shiites, labeling them as 'polytheists' and 'apostates.'
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims have long been a source of conflict in the Middle East, with groups like ISIS exploiting these divisions for recruitment and violence.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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