Egyptians living in Saudi Arabia face attacks
The repeated attacks against Egyptian nationals in Saudi Arabia may have become a phenomenon that has even escalated into killings lately in the absence of any deterrence.
CAIRO — Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a press statement Jan. 21 saying that the Saudi authorities released an Egyptian fishing vessel called al-Shefaa. The vessel, which carried 35 Egyptian fishermen on board, was earlier seized and the fishermen detained by the Saudi authorities after entering their territorial waters for fishing illegally, it added.
According to the statement, the Saudi authorities provided the necessary supplies and fuel for the vessel’s return to Egypt in response to Egyptian demands, after ensuring the safety of the fishermen and that weather conditions are favorable.
It is not the first time that the Saudi authorities detain or attack Egyptian workers. There have also been incidents where Saudi nationals killed Egyptians in the kingdom. These repeated violations raise questions on whether or not attacks against Egyptians in Saudi Arabia are systematic.
An estimated 1 million Egyptians live in the kingdom.
