Saudi Arabia DEPLOYS Air Defenses PATRIOTS, THAAD Around Mecca For Hajj Amid Middle East Tensions

Saudi Arabia has deployed advanced air defense systems around Mecca, Medina, and major pilgrimage routes ahead of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage amid rising Middle East tensions. Official footage released by the Saudi Ministry of Defense shows Patriot missile batteries, radar systems, and military assets guarding sensitive locations as more than 1.5 million pilgrims prepare to arrive. Riyadh says it is taking no chances as fears grow over regional instability linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, threats to Gulf infrastructure, and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Security has become a top priority for one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.