Mujahideen apprehend border and environmental security violators in Jazan and Hail
As part of the ongoing security and field efforts undertaken by the Saudi Ministry of Interior to enhance security and apprehend violators of regulations, the patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen were able to carry out two qualitative operations in the Jazan and Hail regions, which resulted in the apprehension of violators of the border security and environmental regulations, within a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting the Kingdom’s borders and natural resources.
Details of the seizures in Jazan and Hail
In a field operation, patrols from the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Jazan region apprehended a Saudi citizen after observing him transporting six Ethiopian nationals who had violated border security regulations in his vehicle. Security forces dealt with the situation decisively, detaining all individuals and initiating preliminary legal procedures against them. The violators were referred to the appropriate authorities, while the citizen was referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and the application of deterrent penalties.
On another front related to the protection of natural resources, the patrols of the General Directorate of Mujahideen in the Hail region apprehended a citizen who violated the environmental regulations. He was found in possession of quantities of local firewood offered for sale, which is a clear violation of the environmental regulations in force in the Kingdom. The seized items were handed over to the competent authorities.
The security context and the importance of border protection
These operations are of paramount importance to national security, as the General Directorate of Mujahideen is a key security pillar of the Ministry of Interior, playing a vital and supportive role in maintaining security, particularly in border areas and rugged terrain. The emphasis on preventing the movement of border violators stems from the security, social, and economic risks associated with infiltration and illegal residency. The Kingdom is working diligently to eliminate smuggling and trafficking networks to ensure the stability of society and the safety of its citizens and residents.
Strict penalties to deter violators
The official spokesperson for the General Directorate of Mujahideen reiterated the warning against lax enforcement of regulations, emphasizing that penalties for smuggling, transporting, or harboring border security violators are extremely severe. These penalties can reach up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to one million riyals, confiscation of the vehicle and residence used for harboring the offender, and public shaming of the violator. These acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest and contempt of honor and integrity, reflecting the state's seriousness in combating these phenomena.
Protecting the environment: a national responsibility
Regarding the firewood seizures in Hail, these measures align with the Kingdom's strategic objectives and Vision 2030 to preserve vegetation and combat desertification. The Ministry of Interior and environmental authorities have prohibited the sale or transport of local firewood to protect wild trees from excessive logging, which threatens ecological balance. These efforts are an integral part of national green initiatives aimed at increasing green spaces and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
Reporting and Corporate Social Responsibility Figures
The security authorities concluded their statement by urging citizens and residents to cooperate with the security services and report any violations related to residency, labor, border security, or environmental violations by calling (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and (999) and (996) in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions, stressing that all reports are dealt with in complete confidentiality.
