The five security teams and special forces consisting of 32,000 security personnel are coordinating to deal with crowds and congestion in the central zone and Grand Mosque in order to ensure the safety of worshippers and pilgrims. Security authorities are working together to cover all internal and external areas of the mosque around the clock during the last 10 days of Ramadan. The area has been divided into geographic zones in order to allocate responsibilities and duties to each team without overlap.

Haj and Umrah Security Forces are located in the eastern courtyards of the Grand Mosque, covering the internal and external areas up to Al-Sulaimaniah Bridge.
Brid. Gen. Mohamemd Obeid Al-Osaimi, commander of the Haj and Umrah Security Forces, said 3,000 men of these forces are responsible for maintaining safety and security of visitors and pilgrims, as well as controlling crowds.

Officers can deal with pilgrims in several languages and are also trained to communicate in sign language. Commander of Support Security Forces Maj. Gen. Ali bin Saeed Al-Ghamdi said 4,385 of his officers are responsible for securing the area between Gate 87 on the western side of the Grand Mosque and Gate 32 on the northern side, and will work alongside members previously present in Makkah.

The Special Emergency Forces’ 4,500 officers in Makkah are responsible for the northern side, extending from Al-Safa Gate to Gate 87, said Col. Saleem Al-Hathli, commander of the Holy City Special Emergency Forces. Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ahmadi, commander of the Grand Mosque Security, said his team is responsible for the internal courtyards and areas of the mosque and there have been no significant issues during Ramadan despite the increasing number of visitors. Arab News