Qatif conflict

{{Short description|Conflict in Saudi Arabia between Shias and Sunnis}}

{{Update|date=November 2023|reason=Updates needed past May 11, 2022}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Qatif conflict

| partof = the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict

| image = Ash Sharqiyah in Saudi Arabia.svg

| image_size = 300px

| caption = Map of Saudi Arabia, with Eastern Province (including Qatif region) highlighted.

| place = Qatif and Awamiyah, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

| date = 26 November 1979–present

| combatant1 = {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}

| combatant2 = Iran-backed Shia militants (1980s–1990s){{cite web |url=https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/reform-promises-more-same-saudi-arabias-shiites |title=Reform Promises More of the Same for Saudi Arabia's Shiites |work=Stratfor |date=24 January 2017 |access-date=17 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017044022/https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/reform-promises-more-same-saudi-arabias-shiites |archive-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}

Organization for the Islamic Revolution in the Arabian Peninsula {{small|(1979–91)}}
Hezbollah Al-Hejaz {{small|(1987–present; mostly inactive since 1990s)}}{{cite news |url=https://english.aawsat.com/turkisuhail/news-middle-east/iran-planned-revive-hezbollah-al-hejaz-al-mughassils-command |title=Iran Planned to Revive 'Hezbollah Al-Hejaz' Under Al-Mughassil's Command |author=Turki al-Suhail |work=Asharq Al-Awsat |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901120355/https://english.aawsat.com/turkisuhail/news-middle-east/iran-planned-revive-hezbollah-al-hejaz-al-mughassils-command |archive-date=1 September 2017 }}

Saudi Shia civilians

| commander1 =

| commander2 =

| strength1 =

| strength2 =

| casualties1 = Unknown

| casualties2 = Unknown

| casualties3 =

| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict}}{{Campaignbox Qatif conflict}}

}}

The Qatif conflict is a modern phase of sectarian tensions and violence in Eastern Arabia between Arab Shia Muslims and the Arab Sunni majority, which has ruled Saudi Arabia since early 20th century. The conflict encompasses civil unrest which has been sporadically happened since the 1979 uprising, pro-democracy and pro-human rights protests and occasional armed incidents, which increased in 2017 as part of the 2017–20 Qatif unrest.{{cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2021/03/08/heavy-lies-the-crown-the-survival-of-arab-monarchies-10-years-after-the-arab-spring/ |title=The survival of Arab monarchies, 10 years after the Arab Spring |last=Abouzzohour |first=Yasmina |date=March 8, 2021 |website=www.brookings.edu |publisher=Brookings Institution |access-date= |quote=}}

Background

{{Main|Unification of Saudi Arabia|Shia Islam in Saudi Arabia|Conquest of al-Hasa|Conquest of Ha'il}}

Since Al-Hasa and Qatif were conquered and annexed into the Emirate of Riyadh in 1913 by Ibn Saud, Shiites in the region had experienced state of oppression. Unlike most of Saudi Arabia, Qatif has a Shiite majority, and the region is also being of key importance to the Saudi government due to its closeness to the bulk of Saudi oil reserves as well as the main Saudi refinery and export terminal of Ras Tanura, which is situated close to Qatif.{{cite journal|last=Nehme|first=Michel G.|title=Saudi Arabia 1950–80: Between Nationalism and Religion|journal=Middle Eastern Studies|date=October 1994|volume=30|issue=4|pages=930–943|jstor=4283682|doi=10.1080/00263209408701030}}

History

=1979 uprising=

The 1979 Qatif Uprising was a period of unprecedented civil unrest that occurred in Qatif and Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia, in late November 1979. The unrest resulted in 20-24 people killed in what was described as a sectarian outburst of violence between the Shi'a minority and Sunni majority in Saudi Arabia and the beginning of the modern phase of the Qatif conflict.{{Cite web |last=Carboni |first=Andrea |date=2018-04-27 |title=Conflict in Qatif |url=https://acleddata.com/2018/04/26/conflict-in-qatif/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=ACLED |language=en-US}}

=1979–83 crackdown=

After the 1979 uprising, the Saudi authorities have engaged in systematic persecution of Shi'a activists in Qatif, with an estimated 182-219 killed by 1983 (including the 1979 events).{{cite news|author=JAY PETERZELL|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971225,00.html|title=The Gulf: Shi'Ites: Poorer Cousins|publisher=TIME|date=1990-09-24|access-date=2011-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120140001/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971225,00.html|archive-date=2011-01-20|url-status=dead}}

=Arab Spring protests 2011–12=

With the coincidence of the events of the Arab Spring in most Arab countries, especially in Bahrain, on February 17, hundreds of Shiites went out in Qatif to demand economic reforms in Qatif and Al-Ahsa, and to demand Shia rights in Saudi Arabia, and this continued until 2012, and 20 Shiite demonstrators and 4 security forces were killed. And 952 people were arrested, then 735 people were released{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=3 جرحى من الشرطة السعودية بهجوم مسلح في القطيف {{!}} جفرا نيوز |url=https://jfranews.com.jo/article/81160 |access-date=2023-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601031238/https://jfranews.com.jo/article/81160 |archive-date=2023-06-01 }}

The protests in Saudi Arabia were part of the Arab Spring that started with the 2011 Tunisian revolution. Protests started with a self-immolation in Samtah{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 |title=Man dies after setting himself on fire in Saudi Arabia |date=23 January 2011 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=23 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123045813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12260465 |archive-date=23 January 2011 |url-status=live}} and Jeddah street protests in late January 2011.{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/Flood+sparks+rare+action/4189873/story.html |title=Flood sparks rare action |date=29 January 2011 |work=The Gazette |access-date=29 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201053307/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Flood%2Bsparks%2Brare%2Baction/4189873/story.html |archive-date=1 February 2011 }}{{cite news |title=Dozens detained in Saudi over flood protests |date=29 January 2011 |work=The Peninsula |location=Qatar |agency=Reuters |url=http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html |access-date=31 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302150701/http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/middle-east/140720-dozens-detained-in-saudi-over-flood-protests.html |archive-date=2 March 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }} Protests against anti-Shia discrimination followed in February and early March in Qatif, Hofuf, al-Awamiyah, and Riyadh.{{cite news |first=Ulf |last=Laessing |author2=Matthew Jones |title=Saudi Arabia says won't tolerate protests |date=5 March 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72419N20110305 |access-date=3 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210161107/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/05/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE72419N20110305?sp=true |archive-date=10 February 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy }} A Facebook organiser of a planned 11 March "Day of Rage",{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Spencer |author2=James Kirkup |author3=Nabila Ramdani |title=Libya: Muammar Gaddafi's regime on the brink of collapse |date=21 February 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8339435/Libya-Muammar-Gaddafis-regime-on-the-brink-of-collapse.html |access-date=22 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224035657/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8339435/Libya-Muammar-Gaddafis-regime-on-the-brink-of-collapse.html |archive-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}{{cite news |title=Middle East unrest: Saudi and Bahraini kings offer concessions |date=23 February 2011 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/23/middle-east-unrest-concessions |access-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301233216/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/23/middle-east-unrest-concessions |archive-date=1 March 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy }} Faisal Ahmed Abdul-Ahad,{{cite news |language=de |title=Saudi-Arabiens Mächtige werden nervös |date=2 March 2011 |work=Handelsblatt |agency=DPA |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/saudi-arabiens-maechtige-werden-nervoes/3904178.html |access-date=3 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305083059/http://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/saudi-arabiens-maechtige-werden-nervoes/3904178.html |archive-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} was allegedly killed by Saudi security forces on 2 March,{{cite news |title=Report: Saudi Facebook activist planning protest shot dead |date=2 March 2011 |publisher=Monsters and Critics |agency=DPA |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1623088.php/Report-Saudi-Facebook-activist-planning-protest-shot-dead |access-date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305021517/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1623088.php/Report-Saudi-Facebook-activist-planning-protest-shot-dead |archive-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Bustamante |title=Iraq Oil Refinery Attack Shows Need for EarthSearch (ECDC) Systems |date=2 March 2011 |publisher=Wall Street Newscast |url=http://www.wallstreetnewscast.com/news/2011/march/oil3257.html |access-date=2 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306020807/http://www.wallstreetnewscast.com/news/2011/march/oil3257.html |archive-date=6 March 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} with several hundred people protesting in Qatif, Hofuf and al-Amawiyah on the day itself.{{cite news |first=Neela |last=Banerjee |title=Saudi Arabia 'day of rage' protest fizzles |date=11 March 2011 |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi-unrest-20110312,0,72557.story |access-date=11 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408061321/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi-unrest-20110312,0,72557.story |archive-date=8 April 2011 |url-status=live |work=Los Angeles Times |df=dmy }} Khaled al-Johani demonstrated alone in Riyadh, was interviewed by BBC Arabic Television, was detained in ʽUlaysha Prison,{{cite news |first=Dana |last=Kennedy |title=Imprisoned Father of Autistic Boy Called 'the Bravest Man in Saudi Arabia' |date=8 April 2011 |publisher=AOL News |url=http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/khaled-al-johani-the-bravest-man-in-saudi-arabia |access-date=6 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611163029/http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/khaled-al-johani-the-bravest-man-in-saudi-arabia/ |archive-date=11 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Buchanan |title=Saudi Arabia: Calls for political reform muted |date=24 May 2011 |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13507318 |access-date=6 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610051531/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13507318 |archive-date=10 June 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy }} and became known online as "the only brave man in Saudi Arabia". Many protests over human rights took place in April 2011 in front of government ministry buildings in Riyadh, Ta'if and Tabuk{{cite news |first=Asma |last=Alsharif |author2=Jason Benham |title=Saudi unemployed graduates protest to demand jobs |date=10 April 2011 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE73914E20110410 |access-date=12 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413071611/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/10/us-saudi-protests-idUSTRE73914E20110410 |archive-date=13 April 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}{{cite news |title=Scuffles break out as teachers protest for job stability, higher wages |date=11 April 2011 |publisher=Arab News |url=http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article352952.ece |access-date=12 April 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110412195958/http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article352952.ece |archive-date=12 April 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy }} and in January 2012 in Riyadh.{{cite news |title=Saudi police break up rare Riyadh demo |date=14 January 2012 |publisher=Press TV |agency=Ahlul Bayt News Agency |url=http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=290598 |access-date=16 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305055542/http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=290598 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Nimr al-Nimr encouraged his supporters in nonviolent resistance.{{cite news|last1=Cowburn|first1=Ashley|title=Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr profile: A 'holy warrior' who called for elections in Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sheikh-nimr-al-nimr-executed-a-holy-warrior-who-called-for-elections-in-the-saudi-kingdom-a6793656.html|access-date=3 May 2017|work=The Independent|date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318104913/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/sheikh-nimr-al-nimr-executed-a-holy-warrior-who-called-for-elections-in-the-saudi-kingdom-a6793656.html|archive-date=18 March 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

=Execution controversy of Nimr al-Nimr=

On 15 October 2014, al-Nimr was sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court for "seeking 'foreign meddling' in [Saudi Arabia], 'disobeying' its rulers and taking up arms against the security forces".{{cite news| title=Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr 'sentenced to death'| date=2014-10-15| publisher=BBC News| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29627766| access-date=2014-10-15| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015133818/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29627766| archive-date=15 October 2014| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}} Said Boumedouha of Amnesty International stated that the death sentence was "part of a campaign by the authorities in Saudi Arabia to crush all dissent, including those defending the rights of the Kingdom's Shi'a Muslim community."{{cite web| title =Saudi Arabia: Appalling death sentence against Shi'a cleric must be quashed| publisher =Amnesty International| date =2014-10-15| url =https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-appalling-death-sentence-against-shi-cleric-must-be-quashed-2014-10-15| access-date =2014-10-15| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141017235401/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/saudi-arabia-appalling-death-sentence-against-shi-cleric-must-be-quashed-2014-10-15| archive-date =17 October 2014| url-status =live| df =dmy-all}}

Nimr al-Nimr's brother, Mohammad al-Nimr, tweeted information about the death sentence and was arrested on the same day.

The head of Iran's armed forces warned Saudi Arabia that it would "pay dearly" if it carried out the execution.[https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21625868-protests-break-out-after-shia-cleric-sentenced-death-sword-unsheathed The Shia in Saudi Arabia: The sword unsheathed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008231952/https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21625868-protests-break-out-after-shia-cleric-sentenced-death-sword-unsheathed |date=2017-10-08 }}, economist.com.

In March 2015 the Saudi Arabian appellate court upheld the death sentence against al-Nimr.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

On 25 October 2015, the Supreme Religious Court of Saudi Arabia rejected al-Nimr's appeal against his death sentence. During an interview for Reuters, al-Nimr's brother claimed that the decision was a result of a hearing which occurred without the presence or notification of al-Nimr's lawyers and family. This being said, he still remained hopeful that King Salman would grant a pardon.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-execution-idUSKCN0SJ0LS20151025|title=Saudi court upholds death sentence for Shi'ite cleric|work=Reuters|date=25 October 2015|access-date=30 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029022216/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/25/us-saudi-execution-idUSKCN0SJ0LS20151025|archive-date=29 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|author=Brittany Felder|url=http://jurist.org/paperchase/2015/10/saudi-arabia-top-court-confirms-death-sentence-of-shiite-muslim-cleric.php|title=Saudi Arabia top court confirms death sentence of Shiite Muslim Cleric|work=JURIST|date=26 October 2015|access-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027142137/http://jurist.org/paperchase/2015/10/saudi-arabia-top-court-confirms-death-sentence-of-shiite-muslim-cleric.php|archive-date=27 October 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}October 26, 2015. [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/saudi-arabia-court-confirms-shia-cleric-nimr-al-nimr-death-sentence-151026064004105.html "Saudi Arabia court confirms Shia cleric death sentence"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027131202/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/saudi-arabia-court-confirms-shia-cleric-nimr-al-nimr-death-sentence-151026064004105.html |date=2015-10-27 }}. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 27 October 2015. However, on January 2, 2016, al-Nimr was executed.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/saudi-announces-execution-47-terrorists-160102072458873.html|title=Saudi announces execution of 47 'terrorists'|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102091101/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/saudi-announces-execution-47-terrorists-160102072458873.html|archive-date=2 January 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-says-sheikh-nimr-al-nimr-leading-shiite-muslim-cleric-among-47-executed/2016/01/02/7c269600-b124-11e5-b281-43c0b56f61fa_story.html|title=Saudi Arabia says Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, leading Shiite Muslim cleric, among 47 executed|agency=Associated Press|date=2 January 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102082524/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/saudi-arabia-says-sheikh-nimr-al-nimr-leading-shiite-muslim-cleric-among-47-executed/2016/01/02/7c269600-b124-11e5-b281-43c0b56f61fa_story.html|archive-date=2 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

=Unrest (2017–2020)=

The 2017–20 Qatif unrest occurred in the Qatif region (within Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) between the Saudi government and the Shia militants until it died down in 2020. It began in May 2017 after an incident on 12 May when a child and a Pakistani young man were shot and killed.{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/05/12/-Saudi-Two-killed-after-terror-shoot-out-in-Qutaif.html|title=Two, including infant, killed after 'terror shootout' in Saudi Arabia's Qatif|website=Al Arabiya|date=12 May 2017|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006161947/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/05/12/-Saudi-Two-killed-after-terror-shoot-out-in-Qutaif.html|archive-date=6 October 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In the same month, Saudi authorities erected siege barricades in Awamiyah and attempted to bulldoze the al-Musawara residential area. The conflict became an armed conflict, with about 12–25 people killed in shelling and sniper fire during May and the following few months.{{cite news|last1=McKernan|first1=Bethan|title=Inside the Saudi town that's been under siege for three months by its own government|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-siege-town-own-citizens-government-kingdom-military-government-awamiyah-qatif-a7877676.html|access-date=5 July 2018|work=The Independent|date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705071325/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-siege-town-own-citizens-government-kingdom-military-government-awamiyah-qatif-a7877676.html|archive-date=5 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}

On 11 May 2019, 8 militants were killed in a firefight with Saudi security forces in the Sanabis neighborhood of Qatif.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/saudi-state-media-terrorist-suspects-killed-qatif-190512055024178.html|title = Saudi forces kill 'terrorist suspects' in Qatif region}}

On 7 January 2020, The "most dangerous wanted terrorist" in Qatif was captured after he fired on a security patrol, according to state-run news media{{Cite news|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2020/01/07/Saudi-Arabia-arrests-wanted-man-after-he-opens-fire-at-security-patrol-officers.html|title=Saudi Arabia arrests 'most dangerous wanted terrorist' in eastern province|date=7 January 2020|work=Al Arabiya|access-date=8 January 2020}} effectively ending the 2017–20 Qatif unrest.

=Demonstrations (2022)=

On 14 March 2022, thousands of Shi'ite protestors took to streets after the executions of several Shi'ites in alleged unfair trials.{{cn|date=May 2024}}