Locals from the border villages of Al-Raha say they were taken surprise by the decision to evacuate, a move which came late at night and was ordered with immediate effect. “We didn't know what to do,” said Ali Jaber Mighwaf of when he received news of the order. “We couldn't just leave all our belongings, our cattle and houses, everything we have in the world. I hope the army clears the area of the rebels so we can go back to our houses.” Ali Qarish said he left the village during the night with his 200 sheep, and as he made his way towards the refugee camp he was overcome by tiredness and slept. “When I woke up I couldn't find a single one of them,” Ali said, believing them to have been stolen. “A lot of the evacuees I've met have said they'd had money and cattle stolen as they headed to the evacuation camp,” he said. Last week Saudi Gazette reported on the night watch patrols armed villagers of Al-Raha had set up to protect their homes from infiltrator threats. Villages in the area received evacuation orders on Wednesday.
