Saudi forces come under attack in Eastern Province

Unidentified armed men have attacked a group of Saudi Arabian security forces in the country’s Eastern Province.

The provincial police spokesman said on Sunday that the assailants had opened fire on security forces in the town of Awamiyah of the province, which has been the scene of violent clashes between anti-regime protesters and Saudi forces for three years.

The spokesman said that one member of the security forces had been shot and taken to hospital.

Following the incident, the armed men escaped from the scene, he stated, adding that the police launched an investigation into the issue.

There have been numerous demonstrations in the Eastern Province since February 2011, with protestors calling for political reform.

Activists say there are over 40,000 political prisoners in Saudi Arabia, many of them being held without trial or charges.

In October 2012, Amnesty International called on the Saudi authorities to stop using excessive force against pro-democracy protesters.

“The Saudi authorities must end their repeated moves to stifle people’s attempts to protest against the widespread use of arbitrary detention in the country,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“The right of people to peaceful protest must be respected and the security forces must refrain from detaining or using excessive force against people who exercise it,” he added.