Alwaght- Saudi forces have killed and injured several civilians in the besieged town of al-Awamiyah in the west-backed kingdom’s Shiite-populated Eastern Province of Qatif.
Local activists reported on Saturday that Saudi snipers shot dead two brothers, identified as Ali Mahdi al-Sobeiti and Hussain Abdullah al-Sobeiti, on the road to an Awamiyah suburb. They added that the Saudi sharpshooters targeted any moving object in areas on roads around the restive town.
Saudi forces also opened fire on two sisters, a doctor and her sister, while they were driving through the Al-Awamiyah District, activists reported. The two women are in critical condition
Local media say over 30 people have been killed and many others wounded in Wahhabi-ruled regime's over 80 days raging crackdown on Shiite civilians there.
During the past few days at least seven civilians have lost their lives after Saudi security forces launched an attack on the town.
Awamiyah has witnessed an increase in anti-regime protests and an ensuing crackdown as Riyadh has insisted on destroying al-Mosara, claiming the neighborhood's narrow streets have become a hideout for militants believed to be behind attacks on security forces in the region.
Security forces equipped with heavy weapons have been deployed in Awamiyah since May 10, following fierce clashes between the regime forces and locals protesting against the destruction.
Bulldozers escorted by heavily armored military vehicles have demolished several houses, business and historical sites across the Shiite-majority region over the past few weeks.
Since February 2011, Saudi Arabia has stepped up security measures in the itedominated Eastern Province, which has been rocked by anti-regime demonstrations, with protesters demanding free speech, the release of political prisoners, and an end to economic and religious discrimination.
The protests have been met with a heavy-handed crackdown by the Saudi regime. Over the past years, Riyadh has also redefined its anti-terrorism law so as to repress pro-democracy movements.
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Canada has warned it was reviewing reports that Saudi Arabia is using Canadian armored vehicles in cracking down Shiites.
"We are looking at these claims very seriously... and have immediately launched a review," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
The Globe and Mail reported earlier that armored vehicles sold by Canada to Saudi Arabia had been used against Shiite civilians in a major operation that left several people dead in Awamiyah.
Earlier the Canadian news agency reported that Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland “is deeply concerned about this situation and has asked officials to review it immediately.”
“If it is found that Canadian exports have been used to commit serious violations of human rights, the minister will take action,” the report added.
A Canadian Spokesman , John Babcock, said Ottawa had shared its concerns with Saudi Arabia, demanding that "its internal security operations be conducted in a manner consistent with international human rights law."
The controversial $13 billion US contract to supply Riyadh with light armored vehicles was struck by the previous Conservative government.
Trudeau's Liberal government has had to defend this contract against criticism that it may have violated Canada's export control rules that bar arms exports to countries with a poor human rights record and the prohibit using these weapons against civilians.
Freeland's predecessor, Stephane Dion, had stated in April 2016 that the government would halt or revoke the export license for the military equipment if credible information showed it was being used inappropriately.
"We have contracts in which people commit to respect Canadian laws, the terms of the contract and Canadian values, and we expect these contracts to be respected," Trudeau said.
