During an interview with Rasa News International, a Saudi cleric, Sheikh Ahmad al-Herz, noted the Saudi regime’s crackdown on Shia protesters and the continuation of the siege saying: “The main purpose of invading the Awamiya region is not to destroy houses or schools, but to destroy will of the Shia people of the region and to make them withdraw from their demands.”
“Shia people of Awamiya demand freedom of political prisoners who are inside Saudi jails for more than 20 years,” he added.
“Saudi authorities have always decided to crackdown on protesters rather than responding to their demands,” he said, adding that “Saudi authorities are also destroying houses of Shia residents with the excuse of reconstruction of old areas.”
Sheikh al-Herz explained different ways Saudi regime uses to crackdown on Shia residents saying: “Saudi regime employs certain local groups that have hostility toward Shias and these groups assassinate not only political figures but also ordinary people of the region.”
“Amin al-Hani who was a Quranic activist and a teacher of Quran is attacked by the same groups. His car was burnt while he was inside,” he added.
Al-Saud does not care about security of Haj pilgrims
The Saudi cleric mentioned similarities between Saudi regime and the Zionist regime in their ways of crackdown on peaceful protesters saying: “Different ways Zionist regime uses to crackdown on innocent people of Gaza, like demolishing houses and mosques, assassinating political and religious figures is just the same as the Saudi regime.”
“Saudi security forces invaded houses of innocent civilians, harassing women and children. This is the same way Zionist regime uses. There is absolutely no difference,” he added.
He mentioned rumors that have been spread regarding Houthi fighters of Yemen and the Haj pilgrimage adding: “Saudi regime tries to prove that Mecca has been hit by Houthi missiles but no one, even the people of Saudi Arabi themselves did not believe it. Muslim ummah clearly understand that the holy Kaaba is precious for all Muslims.”
“But the fact is that the life of Haj pilgrims is not precious for the Saudi regime,” he added.
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