Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior held a press conference with Hajj security forces commanders yesterday at the Unified Security Operations Center to outline the ministry's comprehensive security and organizational strategies for the Hajj season 1446 AH.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the briefing saw the participation of key officials, including Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami, Commander of the Special Emergency Forces at the Presidency of State Security Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Omari, Director General of Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Dr. Hamoud Al-Faraj, and Acting Director General of the General Directorate of Passports Maj. Gen. Dr. Saleh Al-Marba.
Al-Bassami affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to facilitating a safe, secure, and organized environment for pilgrims. He stated these efforts are aligned with the directives of the minister of interior and chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, who has endorsed extensive security and organizational plans for the 1446 AH Hajj season.
These plans, he said, are designed to encompass all facets of security, public order, crowd management, traffic flow, and emergency response, implemented through an integrated framework that spans the pilgrims' entire journey, from arrival to departure. Al-Bassami issued a stern warning, stating that any attempts to disrupt security or violate regulations would be met with strict and uncompromising action.
He further emphasized the readiness of the Grand Mosque and the holy sites to manage large crowds, aiming to alleviate congestion and maintain safe capacities on all roads and locations. Seasonal traffic management plans are also in effect for routes leading to Makkah and Madinah, as well as central area entrances, to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims.
The General Directorate of Public Security's efforts during the preceding period have yielded significant enforcement actions. Authorities seized 252 fake Hajj campaigns and apprehended 1,239 transporters violating Hajj regulations. Additionally, 109,632 unauthorized vehicles were turned back, alongside 269,678 individuals not residing in Makkah, 75,943 individuals without Hajj permits, and 11,610 individuals who violated residency, labor, and border security regulations. Furthermore, the number of visit visa holders who arrived for the purpose of Hajj reached 205,713.
Al-Omari reiterated the forces' commitment to ensuring protection and maintaining order during the Hajj season. He detailed the implementation of precise field plans, focusing on preventing infiltrators and unauthorized individuals from accessing the holy sites. Furthermore, the plan includes managing and organizing crowd movement at the Jamarat stoning facility and the southern courtyard of the Grand Mosque to ensure smooth flow and pilgrim safety.
In a notable development, Al-Faraj announced the inaugural deployment of the "Falcon" drone for firefighting and rescue operations, marking a new addition to the General Directorate of Civil Defense's Hajj operations this year. He emphasized the sector's readiness to implement its approved plan in service of the pilgrims.
Al-Marba affirmed the directorate's integrated plan within the Ministry of Interior's security framework. This plan is built upon four key pillars: ensuring full readiness to receive pilgrims at air, land, and sea ports, including those under the Makkah Route Initiative; enforcing regulations against illegal pilgrim transporters through seasonal administrative committees at Makkah's entrances; providing support to security and service agencies in the holy sites through field presence; and organizing and overseeing the departure of pilgrims post-rituals by leveraging capabilities at all ports.