The Saudi operation was said to have been part of a crackdown on the
Shi'ite majority in the Arab kingdom. The sources said Riyad, under Interior
Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, has sought to quell rising Shi'ite unrest
within the Eastern Province in 2009.
A leader of the Shi'ite unrest was identified as cleric Niner Al Nimer.
In mid-March, Al Nimer condemned the Saudi royal family in a speech in
Awamya, which led to the latest crackdown by authorities.
Over the last week, Al Nimer has gone underground. But the sources said
he still relays orders to Shi'ite dissidents.
"The city was drowned in the chants that lasted for 45 minutes while
police patrols drove through the city's empty roads," SIA said.
Saudi security forces arrested several Shi'ite activists in Awamya. One
of them was identified as Nouh Abdul Jabar, a U.S. citizen arrested on March
19. The State Department has confirmed Abdul Jabar's arrest.
The opposition has asserted that four million Shi'ites or more than 20
percent of the population, live in Saudi Arabia. Shi'ites were said be
banned from civil service and public office.
