Saudi Arabia Deploys Drones to Monitor Hajj Pilgrims, Enforce Regulations (videos)

The Saudi authorities have revealed the use of drones in monitoring and tracking individuals violating Hajj regulations.

The official account of the Saudi General Security on the X platform has shared videos showcasing drone operations in identifying and tracking individuals who are not adhering to Hajj regulations.

One video posted by the account documented "a glimpse of the efforts of security agencies in collaboration with Air Security in monitoring and tracking violators of Hajj regulations."

The video depicts drones pursuing a vehicle in a desert area until the driver is apprehended at a gas station. A separate video posted on the page, titled "The rules are clear: No Hajj without a permit," showcases a Saudi security drone.

Over a million pilgrims gathered in Mecca on Friday, marking the start of this year's Hajj pilgrimage.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia launched a trial of self-driving air taxis in the holy sites, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The agency reported that the trial, implemented for the first time, involved the vertical takeoff of an electric air taxi, marking the world's first licensed air taxi by the Civil Aviation Authority.