RIYADH, Aug 25: Saudi authorities have arrested 22,222 individuals across the Kingdom during recent nationwide campaigns targeting violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations.

According to official figures, the arrests included 13,551 residency violators, 4,665 border security violators, and 4,006 labor law violators.

During the operations, security forces also intercepted 1,786 people attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally. Of these, 42% were Yemeni nationals, 57% Ethiopian, and 1% from other nationalities. Additionally, 33 people were caught attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally, while 18 others were arrested for transporting, sheltering, employing, or concealing violators.

Currently, 25,921 expatriates — 23,419 men and 2,502 women — are undergoing enforcement procedures. Out of these, 19,596 have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,664 have finalized travel bookings, and 12,920 have already been deported.

The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone caught facilitating border violations — whether by transporting offenders, providing shelter, or offering assistance — will face severe penalties. These include up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to one million riyals, confiscation of vehicles or properties used, and public shaming.

The ministry stressed that such acts are classified as major crimes involving dishonor and breach of trust. Citizens and residents were urged to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999/996 in other regions of the Kingdom.