The Border Guards has been given orders to shoot anybody who tries to cross into Saudi territory illegally, said Vice Adm. Awad bin Eid Al-Balawi, acting director general of the Border Guards. “No negotiations will be held with the intruders,” he added.

Maj. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, official spokesman of the Border Guards, said that all Border Guards received these instructions and orders.

He explained that the new instructions demand a heavier and stricter response to the border infiltration attempts and firing at them immediately without discussion.

Al-Ghamdi said that this decision is considered the Kingdom’s sovereign right, adding that the Border Guards are working to implement these instructions in order to guarantee the safety and security of the citizens and their country.

The decision comes at a time when the region is confronting terrorist groups.

On Jan. 5, three Saudi Border Guards — including the commander — were killed as four terrorists attempted to cross the Saudi-Iraqi border.

Al-Ghamdi stressed that the Border Guards are ready to deal with any emergency and will perform the tasks entrusted to them to protect the homeland and its properties.

The Saudi society welcomed the new decision as people took to social media to express their appreciation. Some used certain hashtags to convey their support for the decision, which they said would send a clear message that the Kingdom would not be lenient toward any attempts to threaten its sovereignty and security.

Others applauded the Saudi security forces for their efforts and praised their commitment to the Kingdom and its citizens saying that many of them sacrifice their lives to protect their beloved country.