Saudi forces storm Shia city of Awamiyah

Security forces raided houses and arrested several people in the Shia-majority city of Awamiyah in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province 

Security forces raided houses and arrested several people in the Shia-majority city of Awamiyah in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Local sources said that Saudi security forces carried out raids on the houses of civil activists in the city on Sunday night using military and armored vehicles and taking tens of people into custody.

A police officer is reported to have died and several people wounded in the operation to crack down on dissent in the city.

There have been numerous demonstrations in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province since 2011, with the protesters calling for political reform and an end to widespread discrimination.