Brig. Gen. Khaled bin Nashat Al-Qahtani

The government has again issued warnings that people without Haj permits would not be allowed to enter Makkah.

Brig. Gen. Khaled bin Nashat Al-Qahtani said that patrols have been deployed to prevent traffic and other violations at Makkah’s entry points. The aim is to ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals safely, he said.

Al-Qahtani said there are royal directives that outline penalties for people failing to comply with Haj regulations. Citizens and expatriates transporting illegal pilgrims would be arrested and have their vehicles seized, he said.

Brig. Abdul Rahman Salem Al-Thamali, head of the Taif police and commander of a local monitoring and control checkpoint, said police officers would not discriminate between citizens and expatriates.

He said officers at various checkpoints would be responsible for inspecting cars on the way to Makkah. These include the Al-Mahamadia, Al-Hada, Akher and Al-Asher checkpoints.

Brig. Fahd Al-Madiehesh, commander of the temporary security checkpoints, said they would be spread out over 200 km on the roads leading to Makkah, including those running through valleys and farmland.

Brig. Ayed Al-Bugami, road security commander in the Makkah Region, said there are four locations on entry points to Makkah, including Al-Shumaisi, Al-Qaqiah and Al-Taniem.

He said the aim is to ensure smooth traffic flow on the roads leading to Makkah.

Col. Faisal Al-Jaied, commander of the Al-Taniem checkpoint, said all the officers at various checkpoints are working together to stop violators.

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