Saudi Arabia: Illegal foreign residents and wanted criminals arrested

Cairo: Saudi security authorities have arrested a number of illegal foreign residents and wanted criminals in a crackdown in the kingdom’s south-western region of Jizan, a local newspaper has reported.

The arrests were made by security patrols as part of constant campaigns against violators of residency and labour regulations in the region, the news portal Sabq reported.

The campaign had targeted the districts with large labour gatherings and illegal expatriates, the paper added without giving specific figures.

In recent months, Saudi authorities have stepped up a clampdown on illegal workers amid efforts to create more jobs for citizens.

Foreigners make up around 10.5 million of Saudi Arabia’s total population of 34.8 million.