Most Yemeni nationals who are fleeing the fighting between rebels and Yemeni government forces in their country do not pose a security threat to Saudi Arabia, according to a well-placed source. However, the Saudi authorities are watching the situation closely for those who may stray into restricted areas. The source said some of the Yemeni nationals found in restricted areas were stopped at checkpoints by Saudi security forces. They were sent back to the areas they came from, said the source. Most of the people crossing onto Saudi territory were fleeing the violence that has erupted on the border, said the source. Many groups included women and children. Yemeni shepherd Muhammed Jaber said he was forced to take shelter on someone else's farm on the Saudi side when the fighting started in his area. He said he sought cover under some bushy trees. There was nowhere else to hide from the fighting and the scorching sun, he said. Another shepherd, Humaid Shawan said he has Saudi relatives who are helping him to find work in the Kingdom. He said most of the Yemenis crossing into Saudi Arabia wanted to find work. Shawan said that being a shepherd made it a little easier because all he needed to have was water and grass for his livestock.
