The Saudi Border Guards Allegedly Kill Hundreds of Ethiopian Migrants Fleeing Through Yemen, HRW Report Reveals
Saudi border guards are accused of killing hundreds of Ethiopian migrants who were attempting to enter Saudi Arabia through Yemen, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The New York-based rights group alleges that the border guards have been using small arms and mortar shells to attack the migrants since last year. The report is based on interviews with 38 Ethiopians who tried to cross into Saudi Arabia between March 2022 and June 2023, as well as satellite imagery, videos, and photos. HRW’s recent investigations indicate that these killings are ongoing.
HRW researcher Nadia Hardman described the situation as horrendous crimes and criticized the Saudi government for prioritizing investments in sports and entertainment instead of addressing these atrocities. The HRW report revealed that the incidents included attacks with explosive weapons, including mortar projectiles. Some victims stated that border guards even asked them which limb they would prefer to be shot in. The report describes scenes of horror, with injured, dismembered, and dead individuals scattered across the mountainous landscape.
The report suggests that these killings are widespread and systematic and could potentially amount to crimes against humanity. However, a Saudi government official dismissed the allegations as unfounded and not based on reliable sources. The official did not provide any evidence to support his claim. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia also denied a UN report alleging that their security forces had killed approximately 430 migrants in the region.
The alleged atrocities have occurred amidst the civil war in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has been fighting against Houthi rebels supported by Iran. The conflict, which began in 2004 when the rebels seized the Yemeni capital, has displaced tens of thousands of Ethiopians. Houthi rebels allegedly profit from smuggling migrants across the border to Saudi Arabia, resulting in a significant Ethiopian population in the kingdom. Approximately 750,000 Ethiopians currently reside in Saudi Arabia, with as many as 450,000 having entered without authorization, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Riyadh has been cooperating with Addis Ababa to repatriate Ethiopian migrants back to their home country. Human Rights Watch has been documenting abuses against Ethiopian migrants in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen for nearly a decade.
The HRW report sheds light on the alleged killings of Ethiopian migrants by Saudi border guards, painting a harrowing picture of horror and violence. These claims, if proven true, raise serious concerns about human rights abuses and potential crimes against humanity. As the international community awaits further investigations and responses from Saudi Arabia, the plight of Ethiopian migrants in the region remains a pressing issue that demands attention and action.
