The military releases unidentified personnel on the border strip and reserves a weapon

Minister of National Defense Khalid al-Shali announced, on Thursday 12 November 2026 before parliament, that military units operating on the desert border strip were able during last October to deter unknown elements and prevent their advancement within national soil.

Al-Sahli reviewed field operations carried out by the armed forces over a full year spanning between September 2025 and September 2026. The reservations included about 316 vehicles used for smuggling activities across the border, along with 1.4 million pills and 519 kilograms of Indian cannabis, as well as the arrest of 1,564 people while trying to cross the border safely.

These data came during a joint public meeting devoted to discussing the military's contribution to development efforts, as well as the presentation of a new national service bill to the People's Deputies.

National Defence Minister Khalid al-Sahli had stressed, in earlier statements two days ago, the importance of developing practical mechanisms to pool competencies and strengthen readiness to face various challenges.