Neom, the futuristic desert megacity that Saudi Arabia has high hopes for, is facing criticism after recent reports suggest a darker side to its development. An exiled Saudi colonel, Col Rabih Alenezi, revealed that the country authorized the use of lethal force to clear land for its ambitious project. The area targeted for development was primarily occupied by the Huwaitat tribe, and local villagers who resisted eviction were met with deadly consequences.
In April 2020, Col Alenezi was ordered to clear the land for a part of the Neom project called The Line. The order sanctioned the use of lethal force against those who refused to leave their homes, labeling them as “rebels.” One villager, Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, was reportedly killed by Saudi authorities during the eviction process. While Saudi state security claimed al-Huwaiti had opened fire on security forces, human rights organizations have disputed this claim.
Saudi Arabia has stated that over 6,000 people have been relocated to make way for the Neom project. However, some human rights groups believe that the actual number of displaced individuals is much higher. Last year, three men protesting the Neom project were sentenced to death, leading to international criticism of Saudi Arabia’s approach to dissent.
Saudi Arabia has faced scrutiny for its handling of objections to the Neom project, with reports emerging of individuals being imprisoned for criticizing the development plans. In July, a Saudi woman, Fatima al-Shawarbi, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for speaking out against the forced eviction of villagers to make way for Neom. These incidents highlight the challenges and controversies surrounding Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plans