The Jeddah municipality has found that over 1.5 million square meters of government land has been taken over illegally in the city.

Muhammad Al-Zahrani, head of the municipality’s southern branch, said plans are under way to ensure that over 1 million square meters is taken back with the assistance of the police in this part of the city.

Al-Zahrani said this is the second time people have illegally occupied government land. He said much of the encroached land is on the outskirts of the city where no development has taken place.

He said the municipality has sent in bulldozers to break down walls and boundaries that have been built by these land grabbers, including by Makkah Road.

Al-Zahrani said the municipality has removed illegal occupiers from almost 585,000 square meters of government land in Jeddah over the past three months with the help of the police and the Briman, Dhahban and south area municipalities.

Mohammed Buqami, spokesman of the Jeddah municipality, warned that tough action would be taken against those who break the law.

He urged citizens and residents to report violators by calling 940 or filing a report on the municipality’s website.