More than 1.5m foreign pilgrims begin Hajj despite Iran war fears

Muslims have begun the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of a region deeply shaken by the Iran war. Saudi authorities said last week that some 1.51 million pilgrims had arrived from outside the kingdom. That is 11,000 more than last year, despite concerns in the region about a resumption of the three-month-old conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Before a fragile ceasefire took effect last month, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes. Two civilians living in the central city of al-Kharj were killed in an Iranian attack on 8 March, along with a US service member stationed at the nearby Prince Sultan Air Base. The Saudi defence ministry posted a video on social media last week showing air defence batteries on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca, which is in the country's west. "The air defence forces are responsible for protecting the skies over the holy sites and dealing with all aerial threats, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of the guests," the post said. Mohammed Chahada, an Egyptian in his 50s, was among the pilgrims who expressed their hope t