Saudi to deploy 3,500 anti-terror personnel at Haj

Saudi Arabia is deploying nearly 3,500 anti-terror personnel in Makkah and other holy sites to ensure security at the upcoming annual Haj (pilgrimage) that is expected to attract more than two million Muslims.

The Anti-terror squad at the ministry of interior has completed all preparations to provide sufficient security men and ensure the highest level of security for pilgrims, most of whom will come from outside Saudi Arabia, said Lt. Gen.

Muhammad Bin Hamad Al-Omani, Commander of the anti-terror forces.

“The Special Force has the ability to execute high-level domestic operations quickly and to serve as backup for other security agencies,” he said.

“The members of the highly-qualified division are trained to disable and remove bombs, confront piracy, tackle situations, such as hostage-taking, and provide security for VIPs,” he told Saudi newspapers.

Al-Omani said that members of the Special Force had been taking part in drills and exercises in various geographical areas including mountainous terrain, open areas and urban centers to prepare for the pilgrimage.

The Special Force has several units including a bomb squad, security and protection, airplane security, VIP protection, embassy security force (inside and outside the Kingdom) and two units deployed permanently in Makkah and Riyadh
Newspapers also said more than 400 extra CCTV cameras would be put in place this Haj, which is expected to start on Saturday.

This means there will be nearly 2,080 cameras covering all the ritual sites and roads, the paper said, citing security officials.

“This year we are heavily dependent on technology and cameras to monitor Haj activities all over the ritual sites,” said Brig. Gen. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Assistant Commander of Haj Control Center.

The center will be able to pinpoint phone callers on digital maps and give a quick response through security forces located in different areas, he added.