Two Saudi border guards were killed Friday after a clash with drug smugglers at the restive border with Yemen, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The clash took place near the Saudi Majaza border post in the southern province of Asir. “Border patrols on a routine reconnaissance operation spotted a group of 15 smugglers who were trying to cross the border for the purpose of trafficking,” SPA said. “When they were warned to retreat to where they came from, they started shooting from several locations,” it said quoting a spokesman for the border command in Asir. The smugglers eventually retreated. Saudi authorities seized 500 kg (1,100 pounds) of hashish after the clash. Earlier this year, Saudi police arrested 125 people for drug trafficking, 76 of them nationals, and seized large quantities of hashish and pills.
