Saudi Arabia has intensified its nationwide crackdown on unauthorized Hajj pilgrims ahead of Hajj 1447, with authorities announcing the removal of hundreds of thousands of violators from routes leading into Makkah and the holy sites.
Speaking during a security briefing, Major General Muhammad Al-Bassami revealed that security forces had dismantled more than 217 fraudulent Hajj campaigns operating across the Kingdom.
Authorities also announced that more than 366,000 residents without valid Hajj permits had been repatriated or turned back, while over 140,000 vehicles lacking authorization to enter the holy sanctuaries were denied access and removed from entry routes.
The measures are part of Saudi Arabia’s large-scale effort to control overcrowding and ensure the safety and organization of the annual pilgrimage.
In recent weeks, checkpoints around Makkah and the holy sites have been heavily reinforced, with entry restricted only to those carrying approved Hajj permits or official authorization. Security authorities have also been monitoring unofficial desert and mountain routes often used by unauthorized pilgrims.
Saudi officials previously warned that anyone attempting to perform Hajj without a permit faces fines of up to SAR 20,000, while facilitators including transporters, accommodation providers, and organizers of illegal campaigns could face penalties reaching SAR 100,000, deportation, and long-term entry bans.
The Kingdom has increasingly tightened Hajj regulations following past overcrowding incidents and safety concerns, with officials emphasizing that the permit system is designed to protect pilgrims and maintain order during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
The latest figures highlight the unprecedented scale of enforcement this year, as Saudi security forces continue operations across the Kingdom in the days leading up to Hajj.
