A former Saudi Arabian intelligence officer, Colonel Rabih Alenezi, has claimed that the national government is killing individuals for refusing eviction ahead of the construction of the futuristic eco-city Neom. According to Alenezi, lethal force has been approved for clearing residents from land sanctioned for the Neom development project, with those who resist eviction being authorized to be killed. The region targeted for eviction is mostly populated by the Huwaitat tribe, who have faced mass arrests and crackdowns for not complying with eviction orders. Multiple villages have already been demolished in pursuit of furthering the Neom project, which is heavily funded by Western nations.
The Neom project is funded by Saudi’s Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and is a centerpiece of his modernization efforts for the kingdom. One key element of this project is “The Line,” a proposed eco-city without the need for automotive vehicles, designed to promote a more sustainable and efficient urban lifestyle. The 106-mile metropolis will be arranged in a linear layout, with public transportation allowing for quick travel through the urban area. Prince Mohamed bin Salman has been focusing his attention and vast resources on completing this project, with hopes that its completion will signal a new era in the modernization of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Vision 2030 agenda includes the Neom project and The Line city as part of its objectives for the country’s development. While over two kilometers of The Line are expected to be completed by 2030, further construction will continue throughout the decade. The Neom project has been a major initiative for Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who has been accused of using brutal tactics against the Huwaitat tribe in order to clear the land for development. The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, D.C. has not yet responded to requests for comment on these allegations, which have raised concerns about human rights violations in the pursuit of modernization efforts in the country.
The allegations made by Colonel Rabih Alenezi have shed light on the dark side of the Neom project and its impact on local communities. The use of lethal force against residents who refuse eviction orders has raised questions about the government’s disregard for human rights in the pursuit of economic development. The Huwaitat tribe, who have suffered mass arrests and crackdowns, are at the forefront of this struggle against forced displacement. Despite the ambitious goals of the Neom project and The Line city, concerns about the methods used to clear the land for development have called into question the true cost of modernization in Saudi Arabia.
As Saudi Arabia strives to become a leading hub of innovation and sustainability with the Neom project, the violent eviction tactics and human rights violations alleged by Colonel Rabih Alenezi underscore the challenges faced in achieving this vision. The central role of Prince Mohamed bin Salman in driving this project forward highlights the power dynamics at play in the country’s modernization efforts. The completion of The Line and the development of Neom are intended to mark a new era of progress for Saudi Arabia, but the tactics used to achieve these goals may have lasting repercussions on the communities affected by forced displacement. The international community’s response to these allegations will be crucial in determining the impact of the Neom project on human rights in Saudi Arabia and the future of development in the region.
