Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has announced the deportation of 11,297 illegal residents after intensive nationwide security operations carried out between June 18 and June 24.

According to the ministry, joint inspection campaigns led to the arrest of 15,231 violators, including 7,589 for breaching residency regulations, 4,443 for border security offences and 3,199 for labour law violations.

Authorities said 15,109 individuals were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while another 3,618 were transferred to complete departure procedures before being deported.

The operations also resulted in the arrest of 1,763 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of those detained, 55 per cent were Ethiopian nationals, 44 per cent were Yemeni nationals and 1 per cent belonged to other nationalities.

In addition, 53 people were caught attempting to leave the Kingdom unlawfully, while 22 individuals were arrested for allegedly transporting, sheltering or employing illegal residents.

The ministry said 16,369 expats are still undergoing legal procedures related to residency, labour and border security violations.

Reaffirming its strict stance on immigration offences, the Ministry of Interior warned that anyone found facilitating the illegal entry, transportation, employment or accommodation of violators could face penalties of up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in committing the offences.