Joint security campaigns continue their efforts to enhance stability
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance security and regulate the labor market, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the results of joint field campaigns conducted across the Kingdom to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. These campaigns, which took place over a single week, resulted in the arrest of 20,237 violators, including approximately 1,555 individuals apprehended while attempting to cross the Kingdom's borders illegally.
Historical background and context of security campaigns
These campaigns are part of a long-term security strategy adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aimed at addressing the phenomenon of illegal residency and employment. These efforts are an extension of the comprehensive national campaign “A Nation Without Violators,” launched in 2017, which initially granted violators a grace period to leave the country without penalty. After the grace period ended, security forces intensified their field campaigns to apprehend violators and enforce regulations against them. These measures are closely linked to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a prosperous economy and a safe society, requiring a regulated labor market and a stable and secure investment environment.
Details and figures of the violations recorded
Official data showed that the violations were distributed as follows:
- 12,687 In violation of residency regulations.
- 4,318 In violation of border security regulations.
- 3,232 In violation of the work regulations.
Regarding border security violations, 1,555 individuals were apprehended while attempting to infiltrate the Kingdom. Yemeni nationals comprised 40% of those apprehended, Ethiopian nationals 57%, and the remainder were of other nationalities. Additionally, 61 individuals were apprehended attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Furthermore, authorities arrested 32 individuals involved in transporting, harboring, employing, and concealing illegal residents.
Local and regional importance and impacts
These campaigns are of paramount importance on both the security and economic fronts. Locally, they contribute to reducing crimes associated with undocumented workers, help regulate the labor market, and shrink the informal economy, thus creating more opportunities for citizens and legal residents. Regionally, securing the Kingdom's southern borders presents a significant security challenge given the unstable conditions in some neighboring countries. These measures aim to prevent smuggling and infiltration operations that could threaten national security. These efforts reaffirm the Kingdom's sovereignty over its territory and its right to enforce its laws, a practice common in all countries worldwide to maintain their security and stability.
Strict penalties and official warning to collaborators
The Ministry of Interior reiterated that anyone who facilitates the entry of violators of the Kingdom's border security regulations, or provides them with transportation, shelter, or any other form of assistance, will be subject to severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 15 years and a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals. In addition, the means of transportation and accommodation used in the crime will be confiscated, and the offender will be publicly shamed. The Ministry urged citizens and residents to report any violations via the designated numbers: 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
