Although the Shiite minority was oppressed by the Saudi government, this traditionally was rarely in the form of direct violence against the community.[citation needed] In the lead up to the uprising, due in part to unease about growing discontent within the community[citation needed], the Saudi security services began to engage in more direct oppression, such as through mass detentions of individuals without trial for many months, serving to increase tension between the Shiite community and the Saudi security apparatus.