The government of Saudi Arabia is facing accusations of killing individuals who refuse eviction ahead of the construction of the Neom eco-city. Former Saudi Arabian intelligence officer Colonel Rabih Alenezi has claimed that lethal force has been approved for clearing residents from land that has been sanctioned for the Neom development project.
The Huwaitat tribe, which is mostly populated in the region where the Neom project is taking place, has faced mass arrests and crackdowns for not complying with eviction orders. Multiple villages have been demolished to make way for the further development of the Neom project, which is heavily funded by Western nations.
The Neom project, which is one of the centerpiece ideas of Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman, includes plans for an eco-city called “The Line.” This proposed 106-mile eco-city will not have automotive vehicles and will be arranged in a “line” layout with public transportation for quick travel.
The Saudi Vision 2030 agenda includes the Neom project and The Line city as key priorities for modernizing the kingdom by 2030. The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, D.C. has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Construction on The Line is ongoing, with just over two kilometers expected to be completed by 2030. The project is expected to continue throughout the decade as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to modernize and develop its infrastructure.
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