Saudi security forces have arrested almost 43,000 people who infiltrated into the oil-rich kingdom across the border with Yemen since the start of November, Al-Iqtissadiya newspaper reported Wednesday.
Some 24,179 people were arrested in Asir while 18,230 others were held in Jizan, two provinces bordering Yemen, the paper said, adding that all infiltrators were deported to their countries.
Apart from Yemeni nationals, numerous Africans, notably from the Horn of Africa across the Red Sea from Yemen, try to cross into Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer and exporter.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen signed an agreement on June 12 to delineate their 1,350-kilometer (850-mile) border, following several decades of dispute. They also have a 1998 security cooperation accord – RIYADH (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
