In a bid to make way for the ambitious Neom project, Saudi Arabian authorities have reportedly given the green light for the use of lethal force, stirring controversy and international concern. The Neom project, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, aims to create a futuristic smart city with an estimated cost of $500 billion.
According to revelations made by BBC, Colonel Rabih Alenezi, a former intelligence officer, disclosed that he was instructed to forcibly evict villagers to clear land for The Line, a major component of the Neom project. The Line, envisioned as a revolutionary car-free city stretching 170 kilometers long but only 200 meters wide, is touted as a symbol of modernity and progress. However, its development has come at a cost.
As per BBC's findings, the Neom project has led to the displacement of over 6,000 people, although UK-based human rights organization ALQST suggests that the actual figure could be even higher. The situation has particularly affected the Huwaitat tribe, whose villages, including al-Khuraybah, Sharma, and Gayal, have reportedly been demolished to make way for Neom's development. Satellite data shared by BBC supports claims of the demolition of these settlements.
In response to these actions, the Saudi government has labeled the Huwaitat as "rebels," a move that has sparked concerns about the treatment of indigenous populations and their rights. Colonel Alenezi, who now resides in the UK citing safety concerns, shed light on the severity of the measures taken, stating, "Neom is the centerpiece of Mohamed Bin Salman's ideas. That's why he was so brutal in dealing with the Huwaitat," during an interview with BBC.
Further adding to the controversy surrounding the Neom project, a report by The Wall Street Journal in 2022 revealed that MBS had directed the construction of 10 lavish palaces within Neom, each larger than a football field and potentially valued at up to $400 million each. These opulent structures raise questions about the allocation of resources and priorities within the project.
Despite the mounting concerns and allegations, neither the Saudi government nor the management of Neom has issued a response. The lack of transparency and accountability regarding the methods employed to push forward this high-profile development project has fueled international apprehension and calls for scrutiny.