Qatif conflict

Qatif conflict
Part of the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict

Map of Saudi Arabia, with Eastern Province (including Qatif region) highlighted.
Date26 November 1979–present
Location
Belligerents

 Saudi Arabia

Iran-backed Shia militants (1980s–1990s)

Saudi Shia civilians
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Qatif conflict is a modern phase of sectarian tensions and violence in Eastern Arabia between Arab Shia Muslims and the Arab Sunni majority, which has ruled Saudi Arabia since early 20th century. The conflict encompasses civil unrest which has been sporadically happened since the 1979 uprising, pro-democracy and pro-human rights protests and occasional armed incidents, which increased in 2017 as part of the 2017–20 Qatif unrest.