In a report released on Monday, August 21, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed that Saudi border guards have engaged in the fatal shooting of hundreds of Ethiopian

migrants attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia from Yemen. The allegations, disputed by a Saudi government source, signal a distressing rise in abuses along the treacherous route from the Horn of Africa to Saudi Arabia, where a substantial number of Ethiopians live and work.

The HRW report relied on interviews with 38 Ethiopian migrants who tried to make the journey, along with satellite imagery and social media content. The victims' accounts detailed distressing scenes of Saudi border guards firing upon them "like rain." A 20-year-old woman from Ethiopia recounted how after being released from custody, guards opened fire on her and her fellow migrants. She vividly recalled the horrific sight of a man pleading for help, having lost both his legs in the attack.

HRW researcher Nadia Hardman emphasized that Saudi officials' actions have largely gone unnoticed by the international community, saying, "Spending billions buying up professional golf, football clubs, and major entertainment events to improve the Saudi image should not deflect attention from these horrendous crimes."

While the Saudi government countered the allegations, HRW argued that the killings seem to be systematic and widespread, potentially constituting crimes against humanity. United Nations experts had previously reported concerning allegations of security forces' involvement in cross-border artillery shelling and small-arms fire, leading to migrant fatalities.

HRW called for an end to the use of lethal force on migrants and asylum seekers and urged the UN to investigate the alleged killings. The disturbing incidents have shone a spotlight on the grave challenges faced by migrants seeking refuge and a better life.