Saudi security forces killed a number of wanted men during a "security operation" in the town of Tarout in the predominantly Shi'ite region of Qatif, east of the kingdom, Saudi media reported.
Saudi security forces did not reveal details of what Saudi media described as a new "security operation" in Qatif, nor did they reveal the names and identities of those killed in the operation, nor the nature of the charges that were pursued on their basis.
From time to time, Qatif witnesses clashes between government forces and Shiites complaining of marginalization and discrimination against them. Saudi authorities deny their ill-treatment.
The Saudi authorities announced earlier this year killed a number of wanted; following an exchange of fire in the city of Qatif, and arrested others, according to local media.
According to the same sources, Saudi security forces besieged the town of Umm al-Hamam in Qatif for more than 15 hours, during which they raided several houses in search of security suspects. The Saudi authorities accuse them of committing acts of terrorism in the eastern region.
She explained that all wanted persons who clashed with the security authorities proved their involvement in issues affecting the security of the state, most notably the targeting of security elements and headquarters and the disruption of development projects.
Qatif is one of the provinces of Saudi Arabia with a Shiite presence, and emerged in previous years in demonstrations demanding reforms, and witness from time to time security operations that lead in many cases to the deaths and arrest of wanted.