RIYADH — In a week-long series of joint field operations, Saudi authorities arrested approximately 22,500 individuals for violating residency, labor, and border security laws across the Kingdom. The operations led to the detention of 13,800 people for violating residency regulations, 5,200 for breaching border security rules, and 3,400 for labor law violations. The Ministry of Interior's statement confirmed that 1,687 individuals were caught attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally, with 38% of them being Yemeni nationals, 61% Ethiopian nationals, and 1% from other countries. Additionally, 40 individuals were arrested for attempting to illegally exit the Kingdom, and 15 people were detained for involvement in the illegal employment and housing of violators. Currently, 18,300 violators are undergoing enforcement procedures, including 15,700 men and 2,500 women. The Ministry also confirmed the deportation of 11,000 individuals, while 11,000 more have been referred to diplomatic missions for travel document processing and 3,200 are awaiting flight arrangements. The Ministry warned that anyone facilitating the entry, transport, or sheltering of violators faces severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to one million riyals, the confiscation of vehicles and housing used for sheltering violators, and public exposure. The Ministry emphasized that such offenses are considered major crimes and urged citizens to report violations to the designated hotline numbers: 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 and 996 in the remaining regions.
