2016 in Saudi Arabia

The following lists events that happened in 2016 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

← 2015 2014 2013 2016 in Saudi Arabia → 2017 2018 2019
Decades:	1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s
See also:	Other events of 2016 History of Saudi Arabia

Incumbents

• Monarch: Salman
• Crown Prince: Muhammad bin Nayef

Events

January

• January 2 - 47 alleged terrorists are executed by the Saudi state, including leader of the anti-government Shia movement, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.[1][2]
• January 2 - The embassy of Saudi Arabia in Tehran, Iran, is ransacked and set on fire by protesters against al-Nimr's execution.[3]
• January 3 - Saudi Arabia breaks off diplomatic relations with Iran after the events that happened yesterday.[4]
• January 4 - Saudi Arabia announces it will end all air traffic and trade links with Iran, demanding Iran to "act like a normal country" before severed diplomatic relations can be restored.[5]
• January 5 - The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant threatens to destroy Saudi Arabia's Tarfiya and al-Ha'ir prisons, holding ISIL prisoners.[6]
• January 12 - Saudi human rights activist Samar Badawi is arrested by Saudi police.[7]

April

• April 16 - Mariam Fardous became the first ever Arab woman and only the third woman in history to dive in the North Pole.[8]

October

• October 25 - Shooting left 2 security forces dead in Dammam city.[9]

Notable deaths

• 2 January – Nimr al-Nimr, Shia religious leader (born 1959).[1]
• 2 January – Faris al-Zahrani, (born 1977).[1]

References

1. "Saudi Arabia executes 47 on terrorism charges". Al Jazeera. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
2. "Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Arabia executes top Shia cleric". 2 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
3. "Iranian Protesters Ransack Saudi Embassy After Execution of Shiite Cleric". 2 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
4. "Saudi Arabia breaks off ties with Iran after al-Nimr execution". 4 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
5. "Exclusive: Saudi Arabia to halt flights, trade with Iran". 4 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
6. "Islamic State threatens to destroy Saudi prisons after executions". 6 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
7. "Prominent human rights activist arrested in Saudi Arabia". 12 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
8. "AboutHer.com spotlights Saudi Arabian women". Arab News. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
9. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-saudi-security-idUSKCN12P0MX?il=0