Activist: Riyadh Buying Arms for Fear of Revolution

Saudi officials have struck large arms deals with the US and Britain in anticipation of an impending revolution in their country, sources said.

“The Saudi authorities are concerned about the spread of popular protests and are, hence, preparing themselves for massive clampdown on public protests and uprising not just in the Eastern region, but also in Central, Southern and Western parts,” Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia Ali Al-Yami said.

He pointed out that popular movements and unrests are going on in Saudi Arabia today as people demand their forgotten and ignored legitimate rights.

Yami said Saudi rulers are also fearful that the current revolutions in the neighboring countries might spread to Saudi Arabia and have, thus, sent troops and weapons to their regional allies to defend them against their nations’ protests, an instance of which could readily be seen in Bahrain, where Saudi tanks, armored vehicles and troops have been in the streets to suppress the people.

Saudi Arabia has faced demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Eastern Province, mainly in Qatif and the town of Awamiyah since February 2011. Protesters have been calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province.

Saudi forces have also arrested dozens of people including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.”

In October, the Saudi Interior Ministry warned the public against staging demonstrations in support of the prisoners in the kingdom and pledged to deal “firmly” with those participating in such protest rallies.