Saudi Arabia’s hopes for its Neom megaproject are high, but recent reports suggest a darker side to its development. An exiled Saudi colonel, Col Rabih Alenezi, revealed that the country authorized the use of lethal force to clear land for its futuristic Neom desert megacity. The area targeted for development was primarily occupied by the Huwaitat tribe, and local villagers who resisted eviction were met with deadly consequences.
Col Alenezi was ordered to clear the land for a part of the Neom project called The Line in April 2020. The order sanctioned the use of lethal force against those who refused to leave their homes, labeling them as “rebels.” One villager, Abdul Rahim al-Huwaiti, was reportedly killed by Saudi authorities during the eviction process. While Saudi state security claimed al-Huwaiti had opened fire on security forces, human rights organizations have disputed this claim.
The Saudi government has stated that over 6,000 people have been relocated to make way for the Neom project. However, some human rights groups believe that the actual number of displaced individuals is much higher. Last year, three men protesting the Neom project were sentenced to death, leading to international criticism of Saudi Arabia’s approach to dissent.
Saudi Arabia has faced scrutiny for its handling of objections to the Neom project, with reports emerging of individuals being imprisoned for criticizing the development plans. In July, a Saudi woman, Fatima al-Shawarbi, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for speaking out against the forced eviction of villagers to make way for Neom. These incidents highlight the challenges and controversies surrounding Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plans, raising concerns about human rights violations and suppressions of dissent within the country.
In addition to these issues, there are also concerns about environmental damage caused by the construction of Neom. The desert city will require significant resources such as water and energy which could lead to depletion or pollution if not managed properly.
Despite these challenges and controversies surrounding Neom project development in Saudi Arabia remains optimistic about it and continues investing heavily in it with hopes that it will bring economic benefits and create new job opportunities in various sectors such as tourism and technology.