Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it will deploy its biggest security operation for this year's Haj pilgrimage, when more than two million Muslims congregate for rites that end in tragedy for some every year.
At least 2.5 million pilgrims are expected to arrive in the Muslim holy city of Makkah from all over the world by Sunday when the five-day ritual, which is a duty for every able-bodied Muslim at least once in a lifetime, begins.
Deadly stampedes, attacks by Islamist militant group al Qaeda or the possibility that a dangerous virus could pass through the gathered crowds like wildfire are three eventualities that Saudi security forces could be preparing for.
"Security forces should expect anything of any size to happen. We are not saying that we have information (of militant attacks) but ... we should always expect the worst and we are ready for that," Interior Minister Prince Nayef told Reuters.
"The number (of security forces) has increased ... to around 60,000 men," he said ahead of a parade of civil and military defence forces during a tour of the holy sites.
Last year the government said it had deployed 50,000 men in the Makkah area to combat potential militants, demonstrators and disorderly behaviour that could lead to overcrowding. Authorities say the total number of pilgrims will be slightly lower than last year due to safety concerns.
Prince Nayef said the authorities would also stop pilgrims from squatting at the Jamarat bridge area, the scene of a number of deadly stampedes over the year. "We plan to combat the squatters and to remove them in a quiet and gentle way," he said.
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