Former Saudi military colonel and ex-intelligence officer revealed to the BBC that the Saudi government ordered troops to kill indigenous people resisting eviction on land designated for the futuristic Neom megacity project. Neom, envisioned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to rival cities like Miami with luxury resorts, international events, and eco-friendly infrastructure. The construction site in northwestern Saudi Arabia has displaced thousands, including the Huwaitat tribe, leading to violent confrontations and even deaths. The project faces criticism for human rights violations and struggles to meet its ambitious goals, such as the development of “The Line,” a vast skyscraper complex. Despite setbacks and controversies, Neom recently announced the creation of a luxury community called Jaumur on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba.
