Falih Al-Dhibyani and Abdullah Gharman Okaz/Saudi Gazette
RIYADH/ABHA — No murders, thefts, or attacks against women by infiltrators have been registered at police stations in the southern border region so far, according to Director of Public Security and chairman of security committee. Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani said a large number of infiltrators who illegally crossed the borders looking for jobs have been arrested and they will be deported. In response to criticisms leveled at security authorities, Lt. Gen. Al-Qahtani reiterated that the authorities have not faltered in cracking down on infiltrators. He attributed the reasons behind the increasing number of people illegally crossing into the Kingdom to the stability and security the Kingdom enjoyed as well as job opportunities in the country. “Our country is an attractive destination for infiltrators whose countries are going through turbulence. Our statistics shows that the authorities have not stopped arresting them. The infiltrators keep coming up with new ways to cross the border, especially at night or through walking long distances to cross Yemen's border and sneak into the Kingdom.” Lt. Gen. Al-Qahtani warned citizens against taking law into their own hands and using force against infiltrators, and asked them instead to report them to the authorities. He noted that the crackdown campaign would end soon, adding that all detainees will be treated humanely until they are deported. Okaz/Saudi Gazette visited several villages and towns in Asir where the majority of infiltrators hide out. In Raida village, one of the infiltrators said he and another man had walked a very long distance to enter the Kingdom illegally and that the other man died shortly after they entered the Saudi territory. The man was very tired and exhausted, he said. Some of those infiltrators go to Mahayel Asir while others prefer locations in the far south. Some stay in mountain caves. A citizen living in Taha Asir complained that these infiltrators break into homes when residents leave for work or school. Abdullah Al-Zaydani said his house was robbed a couple of times. Maroee Asiri said one of the infiltrators got into the house through a small opening in the wall of the bathroom and stole miscellaneous items. Asiri doesn't know how the man managed to enter through such a small narrow opening and is now very concerned about the safety of his family. “Those infiltrators might attack women and children in order to rob the house.” Many infiltrators live in the mountains of Bani Amro village, north of Al-Namas, where they make alcohol and sell it to young men. One of the citizens said the absence of passport police has contributed to the increasing number of infiltrators in the mountains. “Those are criminals and authorities should do something about this situation,” he said. Reports obtained from the Commission of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Hai'a) branch in Asir showed that the infiltrators near Raida village have caused concerns and fears among the citizens. According the reports, the infiltrators sell drugs and alcohol and stay in deserted houses and farms. Sources said the Hai'a destroyed over 107 distilleries containing 3,000,000 liters of alcohol. Sources at the Asir Passport Department said over 60,000 infiltrators are deported annually. The rugged areas of the Asir mountains make it difficult for the authorities to chase those infiltrators because they retreat to their hideouts once they see officers approaching.
