DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is preparing to build a 890 kilometer northern border fence as part of a security project, Arab News reported. The aim of the fence is to reduce illegal smuggling along the northern border, Border Guards Colonel Salem bin Saleh al-Sulami said in comments published by the Saudi newspaper on Sunday. “This project will represent a quantum leap in the concept of border watching. It will consist of mud walls and barbed wires with international specifications,” he said. In recent years, smuggling has taken its toll from Jordan and Iraq into the country. Arab News said the new fence will be for rapid deployment would also be established as part of the project to protect the northern borders. The spokesman said four housing units for the staff and families of the Border Guards would be built in Hafr Al-Batin in the Eastern Province and in Al-Shuabah, Rafha and Al-Ouwailiqa along the northern border. He said each complex would consist of 210 housing units, schools for boys and girls, health centers, playing grounds and training facilities. Commander of the Border Guards Maj. Gen. Zameem bin Juwaibir Al-Sawwat said the aim of the project was to achieve the highest degree of control over the borders. He said the project would include an integrated electronic system for surveillance and control consisting of communication tools, radars and thermal cameras. Al-Sawwat said the Border Guard personnel would receive rigorous training inside the Kingdom and abroad to upgrade their competence and skills. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/hXkES Tags: Border Fence, Security, Smuggling Section: Iraq, Jordan, Latest News, Saudi Arabia
