Saudi security authorities have arrested more than 21,000 people and deported almost 12,000 in a single week as part of a nationwide campaign targeting residency, border, and labour law violations.
The Ministry of Interior announced that joint inspections, conducted in coordination with multiple government agencies between 2 and 8 October, led to the arrest of 21,403 individuals.
Nationwide Inspections
According to the ministry’s breakdown, 12,439 people were detained for breaching residency regulations, 4,650 for violating border security laws, and another 4,314 for contravening labour rules.
During the same period, security forces intercepted 1,874 individuals attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally. Of these, 54 per cent were Ethiopian nationals, 45 per cent were Yemeni, and the remainder came from other countries. A further 36 people were arrested while trying to leave Saudi Arabia unlawfully.
Authorities reported that 23,824 violators were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 2,764 were sent to finalise their travel arrangements. A total of 11,849 people have already been deported.
Penalties and Enforcement
The campaign also targeted those assisting illegal activities. Twenty-nine individuals were taken into custody, accused of providing transport, shelter, or employment to violators. The Ministry of Interior has reiterated that anyone caught aiding or harbouring illegal residents faces severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to one million riyals, and the confiscation of vehicles or property used in the offence.
Currently, 31,344 expatriates, including 29,840 men and 1,504 women, are undergoing procedures to enforce the Kingdom’s laws. The situation highlights the varied experiences of foreign nationals in the region, where other Gulf nations are introducing different initiatives, such as a new AI-enabled app for mental health services for residents in the UAE.
The ministry has urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Mecca, the Eastern Province, and Riyadh, a city whose new airline, Riyadh Air, recently announced its first flight. In other regions of the country, the public can use the numbers 999 or 996 to report illegal activity.
