Hajj Security Forces Announce Readiness to Provide Safety

Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center
Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center
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Hajj Security Forces Announce Readiness to Provide Safety

Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center
Commander of Special Emergency Forces and Hajj Security Forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi at the Command and Control Center

Hajj security forces have affirmed that pilgrims’ safety and security is a red line, stressing that they won’t let anything disrupt them.

The forces also said they would implement a general plan to manage crowds in the holy mosque and holy sites.

“There are many plans to create suitable conditions, manage traffic and vehicles using aerial technology and follow up to ensure the success of the plans’ stages,” said Commander of Hajj security forces Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi.

“There are more than 5,000 high-quality cameras covering pilgrims’ locations in Makkah and holy sites in order to convey the most accurate details and guarantee pilgrims’ safety and comfort,” Harbi explained.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Harbi also said the holy sites are cordoned off and a sufficient number of security men, mechanisms, and techniques have been deployed in the area.

He pointed to the “technical team assigned in the holy city to follow up social media websites and monitor companies in order for Muslims to perform their pilgrimage easily.”

Commander of Grand Mosque Security Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Ahmadi, deputy commander of Hajj security forces, expected five million people to attend the Mosque on daily basis during the five prayers over Hajj period.

Ahmadi noted, however, that the capacity of the Grand Mosque reaches up to one million people along with the third expansion and the yards, explaining that the plan includes distributing masses throughout the Holy Mosque to ensure the smooth flow of movement and the easy entry and exit of pilgrims and worshipers.

He pointed out that the plan is based on three main aspects: the organizational, security and humanitarian aspects.

It is implemented by security men who have received several training courses and are specialized in how to manage crowds and organize the expected masses during Hajj period.

Ahmadi stressed that everyone is ready to carry out the assigned tasks with precision, dedication, and sincerity so that pilgrims carry out their rituals easily and comfortably.

Assistant commander of Hajj security forces for traffic affairs Maj. Gen. Khaled al-Dabbayb, for his part, revealed that more than 267,000 people and more than 114,000 vehicles have been returned in the past period, 59 violators who don’t have Hajj permission have been arrested and six drivers will be referred to relevant authorities that take legal actions against them.



Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Interior Minister, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Discuss Regional Security Development

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a phone call on Sunday from Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs of the Republic of Singapore K Shanmugam.

During the call, the two officials discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and current security developments amid the Iranian attacks targeting regional security and stability, SPA reported.

They also affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination in support of regional security and stability, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest.

Shanmugam expressed his country's condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, affirming Singapore's solidarity with the Kingdom and the GCC states in all measures aimed at enhancing security and stability.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.