Shia Majority Town in Eastern Saudi Arabia Devastated During Raids

A video released by an anti-government activist group on August 3 showed severe damage to the Shia-majority neighborhood of al-Musawara in al-Qatif in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.This area had been under tight lock-down since July 26th, and the US-based Shia Rights Watch reported that eight people were killed by Saudi security forces during raids, reportedly targeting Shia gunmen.The Shia-majority Saudi town of al-Awamiyah has been the subject of a government security operation for a number of months, with locals reporting destruction to historic districts.The Saudi government said the al-Musawara district, a walled area dating back two centuries, had become a hideout for militants. There were clashes between security forces and residents as bulldozers moved into the area earlier in the month, during which a Pakistani builder and young child were reported to have been killed. Credit: Awamia Netwrok via Storyful