Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior has made elaborate arrangements to prevent any terror attacks during the Haj, which begins on Friday and reaches its climax on Saturday when more than two million pilgrims converge on the Plain of Arafat to perform the most important ritual.
More than 3,500 members of the security forces have been mobilised, according to Lieutenant General Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Omani, commander of Saudi Special Security Forces.
"These forces will be deployed in Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites. They are highly qualified in discharging their duties — thanks to the advanced training received by them from foreign countries," he said.
Speaking to reporters, he said that these forces were provided with 450 armoured vehicles fitted with sophisticated weapons to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
They have undergone training on rugged terrain and they are capable of defusing explosives, he added.
Cameras
Meanwhile, Major General Mohammad Hassan Al Ameri, commander of the security wing to combat crime during the Haj, told Gulf News there were 2,080 cameras installed at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa and along the roads leading to the sites.
"These cameras can benefit all the concerned sectors such as traffic police, security forces and service agencies," he said, adding that there would be 14 police stations in Mina, nine in Arafat and six in Muzdalifah.
Major General Mohammad Abdullah Al Qarni, commander of the civil defence forces for the Haj, said that the security aviation unit would carry out daily air surveillance during the six days of the Haj.
"Helicopters will hover around the holy sites and take pictures of all areas of the sites through digital cameras connected to the operation room."
Fine weather
Meanwhile, the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has said in a press statement that the weather during the Haj season is expected to be fine, as there is no indication of heavy rain or storms hitting Makkah, the holy sites or even Jeddah. "There is no indication of bad weather threatening the pilgrimage season.
The sky will remain clear except the last three days when it will be cloudy. It may also be accompanied by light drizzle at high altitudes in Taif and parts of the holy sites," Sa'ad Muhallafi, assistant chief of the Meteorology and National Centre for Environmental Observation, said.