Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia)

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The Ministry of Interior (MoI; Arabic: وزارة الداخلية) is one of the governmental bodies of Saudi Arabia responsible for national security, naturalization, immigration, and customs in Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1926 by King Abdulaziz, but the organization was reformed in 1951 when the combined ministerial body covering financial and interior affairs were separated.[2][3] The current minister of interior is Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud, who has been in office since 21 June 2017.[4]

Ministry of Interior
Official logo used by the Ministry of Interior
Official flag used by the Ministry of Interior

Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud, current Minister of Interior since 2017
Agency overview
Formed8 January 1926; 98 years ago (1926-01-08)
JurisdictionGovernment of Saudi Arabia
HeadquartersKing Fahad Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 11543, Saudi Arabia
MottoA homeland we don't protect, we don't deserve to live in
Employees5000[1]
Agency executive
Websitemoi.gov.sa

History

The Ministry of Interior was created in 1926 by King Abdulaziz as a solution to the end of political unrest, tribal conflicts, and statelessness caused by the absence of a powerful central government. The goal of the organization is to serve the citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia, achieving security, stability, and tranquility.

Objectives and Responsibilities

The minister of interior has several objectives and summarizes its mission as follows:

  • Achieve security and stability Kingdom-wide, provide tranquility and safety for the citizens and fight against all means of crime to ensure the safety of Saudi society and its development.
  • Ensure safety of Pilgrims in order to perform their rituals safely.
  • Reinforce security relationships with neighboring Arab countries and cooperate with the Countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), to maintain safety in the Kingdom and abroad, control crime and drug smuggling, exchange security information, organize citizenship regulations and systems and other miscellaneous issues.
  • Reinforce security cooperation with Arab countries to protect cultural possessions and achievements, support internal and external security, control crime, terrorism and drug smuggling and develop Arab security institutions.[5]

Divisions of Internal Security

The history and formation of the MOI and its various sectors passed through phases of administrative development and organization. The ministry consists of the following child agencies:

  • MOI Agency for Military Affairs
  • Crime Research Center
  • General Directorate of Narcotics Control
  • General Directorate of Public Security
  • Security Forces Organization
  • Premises Security Forces Command
  • General Directorate of Border Guards
  • General Department of Weapons and Explosives
  • General Directorate of Civil Defence
  • Ministerial Agency of Civil Affairs
Interior ministry headquarters in Riyadh, 2007
  • MOI Agency for Security Capabilities
  • National Information Center
  • Development Projects Center
  • General Directorate of the Mujahideen
  • High Commission for Industrial Security
  • General Directorate of Passports
  • King Fahad Security College
  • General Directorate of Prisons
  • National Center for Security Operations
  • Saudi National Central Bureau of INTERPOL
  • General Department of Medical Services
  • Special Forces for Security and Protection[6]

List of ministers

Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the first Minister of Interior.

Aircraft inventory

AircraftTypeVersionsIn serviceNotes
Sikorsky S-70Utility/transport helicopterS-70i3[8]
Sikorsky S-92Utility/transport helicopterS-9217Some are armed with machine guns
Sikorsky S-434Training helicopterS-4349Used for training
Kawasaki-Vertol 107UtilityKV-107IIA-SM-17Used for firefighting
Kawasaki-Vertol 107Utility/transportKV-107IIA-SM-24Aeromedical and rescue helicopter
Kawasaki-Vertol 107TransportKV-107IIA-SM-32VIP transport
Kawasaki-Vertol 107Utility/transportKV-107IIA-SM-43Air ambulance
EADS CASA C-295TransportC-295W4[9]

See also

References