Saudi Arabia Accused of Using Lethal Force to Evict Residents for Neom Megacity

A former Saudi intelligence officer claims the government is authorizing the use of deadly force against individuals resisting eviction ahead of the construction of the futuristic eco-city Neom, raising concerns over human rights abuses and the shady methods employed by the government.

In a chilling revelation that has cast a dark shadow over Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom project, a former intelligence officer has blown the whistle on the alleged use of lethal force against individuals who refuse to be evicted from their homes. Colonel Rabih Alenezi, who sought refuge in the United Kingdom last year, has made the shocking claim that the Saudi government has sanctioned the killing of those resisting eviction to clear land for the construction of the futuristic eco-city.

"Whoever continues to resist [eviction] should be killed, so it licensed the use of lethal force against whoever stayed in their home," Alenezi told the BBC in a bombshell interview.

The allegations have ignited widespread outrage and concern over the human rights implications of the Neom development, which is largely populated by the Huwaitat tribe. The Huwaitat have faced mass arrests and crackdowns for their steadfast refusal to comply with eviction orders, resulting in the demolition of multiple villages to pave the way for the project.

Alenezi, a seasoned intelligence officer, has accused Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman of being the mastermind behind the brutal tactics used to suppress dissent among the Huwaitat. "Neom is the centerpiece of Mohamed Bin Salman's ideas," Alenezi said. "That's why he was so brutal in dealing with the Huwaitat."

The Neom project, heavily funded by Western nations, envisions the creation of an ultra-modern urban environment billed as an eco-friendly utopia. However, the allegations of violence and human rights abuses have cast a pall over the project, raising questions about the methods employed by the Saudi government to achieve its ambitious goals.

A key component of Neom is "The Line," a proposed eco-city designed to be a car-free, ultra-efficient metropolis. The 106-mile settlement will be arranged in a linear layout, with public transportation providing swift and convenient movement throughout the narrow urban area.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has poured vast resources and attention into the Neom project, viewing it as a transformative initiative that will usher in a new era of modernization for his country. However, the allegations of violence and excessive force against the Huwaitat have cast a shadow over the project and raised concerns about the human cost of Saudi Arabia's unbridled pursuit of progress.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment, but no response has been received at the time of this report.

The Neom project and its Line city are central elements of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda. While the project holds the promise of a futuristic utopia, the allegations of human rights abuses and the suppression of dissent have raised serious questions about the methods employed to achieve this vision.

As construction on Neom continues, the world's attention will be focused on the human rights situation in the region. The allegations of lethal force against those resisting eviction must be thoroughly investigated, and the Saudi government must be held accountable for any wrongdoing.

Only by ensuring that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected can Saudi Arabia truly achieve its vision of a progressive and prosperous society.