MAKKAH, Jun 24 (Arab News): A number of illegal foreigners Wednesday fought officials from three government departments who tried to enter the Housh Bakr area in Al-Mansour Street in Makkah to clear it of thieves and stolen goods, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported on Thursday.

The illegal residents reportedly threw stones at officers from the police, the passport department and the municipality when they entered Housh Bakr.

Makkah Passport Police Capt. Muhammad Al-Hussain told the newspaper that security forces had to intervene to allow the officials to carry out their work.

He said 13 of the foreigners were arrested and handed over to the passport department for deportation.

The spokesman said security forces confiscated more than 60 tons of scrap iron, wood, old furniture and other goods that were then transported to incinerators.

The spokesman said while government representatives were doing their work as part of a campaign to clean the holy city, they were ambushed by a number of illegal Africans.

Al-Hussain said such surprise raids would be organized in all parts of Makkah to purge the city of thieves and illegal foreigners.

The passport police usually launch raids against illegal foreigners this time of the year because many people come from outside to perform Umrah.

Al-Hussain said many Africans who come for Haj or Umrah opt to stay in the Kingdom illegally afterward.

Housh Bakr, a haven for overstayers, is replete with random shops selling stolen goods. Many local residents are from African countries, including Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Cameroon, Somalia and Chad.