Calm has been restored to Al-Awamiyah, Qatif, after Saudi security personnel took control of much of the old Al-Masoura District in the city. Residents went back to their daily routine in the city, which was earlier the scene of frequent attacks on security personnel by terrorists, drug dealers, and gunrunners, causing panic among common citizens, including shopkeepers, women and children. Robberies and lootings were common occurrences in the city, particularly in the Al- Masoura District. A visit to Al-Awamiyah revealed a peaceful city devoid of all terror activities, and a people feeling secure and fully contented. But the scenes of destruction caused by the terrorists in Al-Masoura District were everywhere. These terrorists constantly attacked municipal workers as they were clearing the district's dilapidated houses, which were being used by the radicals to hide from the law and store weapons and drugs. The municipality had launched a development project in the Al-Masoura District to build new houses for the residents. The terrorists warned the residents from leaving the houses to make way for the project, as the common people were conveniently being used as human shields. Sources said that the security forces now had full control of Al-Awamiyah and its entry and exit points were fully secured. They had taken over the stockpiles of weapons and drugs abandoned by the terrorists before they fled to unknown destinations. The sources added that the security personnel had cleared 95 percent of Al-Awamiyah districts and they were set to clear the other areas with cooperation from the residents. During the security operations, a makeshift lab for making dynamites, missiles and explosive devices was unearthed in Al-Masoura District. Live ammunition was also found. Al-Masoura District is inhabited by some 8,000 families who were all evacuated before the demolition activity was initiated. The residents were given enough time to leave after their old houses were evaluated and they were compensated accordingly. The northern region municipality has estimated the total compensation for around 80 demolished houses to be about SR 800 million. The demolition is continuing and the Al-Masoura development project will begin once all the 488 houses are demolished. The development project will take around two years to complete. The demolition activity had to be postponed as the equipment was damaged by terrorist attacks. The damage was estimated to be around SR 18 million. The demolition was later conducted under the protection of the security forces. The Al-Masoura development project is an important one in Al-Qatif. Several significant plans have been made for the center of Al-Awamiyah as part of the project, including a welfare market, heritage shops, an archaeological region, cultural center, public library, gymnasiums, cafeterias, restaurants, multipurpose auditoriums for men and women, malls, commercial buildings, women's clubs, kindergarten schools and parking lots for 600 vehicles. The plan has been welcomed by the people of Qatif, particularly Al-Awamiyah. The successful cleansing of the Al-Masoura district of terrorists has been described by analysts as a major victory for the state against terror. It also sends a clear message to the terrorists that however strong they may be, the country will emerge stronger. The terrorists have been accused of receiving funding from abroad, mainly Iran, and from forces working against the Kingdom.
