Commander of the special emergency forces Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Ghamdi, director of Makkah Police Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Al-Hamza and commander of the Haj security forces Brig. Khaled Qirar attended the drill.
In the drill’s scenario, a number of people organized a sit-in in the Grand Mosque while pilgrims were performing tawaf (circumambulation) around the Holy Kaaba. The emergency forces were able to end the sit-in without hurting any of the pilgrims inside the mosque.
During the exercise, a firing squad from the emergency forces was asked to use machine guns and fire live ammunition at certain targets, which they achieved with accuracy.
In another scenario, a force was asked to storm a building where a number of terrorists were hiding. Using megaphones, the officers asked the terrorists to surrender but they refused and started firing. After an exchange of fire, the building was destroyed and the terrorists were forced to surrender.
The drill was conducted as part of security forces’ preparations to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims.
Military commanders who attended the exercise praised its success, commended the thorough work of the emergency forces and pledged to give their blood in the defense of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the homeland.
