Reports noted that a Saudi policeman and an armed protester were killed in overnight clashes in the kingdom's oil-rich, Shiite-populated Eastern Province on august 4, 2012. Interior Ministry spokesman Mansur al-Turki has stated that, "a security patrol came under heavy gunfire from four armed rioters on motorbikes in the Shiite district of Qatif. Security forces hunted down the armed rioters who were on motorbikes and exchanged fire with them." The attackers were reportedly participating in a demonstration that took place in Qatif to mark a Shiite religious celebration which turned violent and police forces opened fire on protesters, wounding at least two. Confrontations have intensified recently between police and protesters mainly in the Eastern Province. 1

• 1. “Saudi policeman, armed protester die as Shiite celebration turns violent”, The National, August 5, 2012, at http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/saudi-policeman-armed-p...