Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia)

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

Ministry of Interior Headquarters, 2007
Agency overview
Formed8 January 1926; 99 years ago (1926-01-08)
JurisdictionGovernment of Saudi Arabia
HeadquartersMinistry of Interior building, 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

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, Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud, has been in office since 21 June 2017.[4]

History

The Ministry of Interior was created in 1926 by King Abdulaziz as a solution to end 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 the ministry's mission is summarized 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
  • General Directorate of Investigations (Until 2017)
  • 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
  • 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.
Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Saud, the incumbent Minister of Interior

Aircraft inventory

Aircraft Type Versions In service Notes
Sikorsky S-70 Utility/transport helicopter S-70i 3[8]
Sikorsky S-92 Utility/transport helicopter S-92 17 Some are armed with machine guns
Sikorsky S-434 Training helicopter S-434 9 Used for training
Kawasaki-Vertol 107 Utility KV-107IIA-SM-1 7 Used for firefighting
Kawasaki-Vertol 107 Utility/transport KV-107IIA-SM-2 4 Aeromedical and rescue helicopter
Kawasaki-Vertol 107 Transport KV-107IIA-SM-3 2 VIP transport
Kawasaki-Vertol 107 Utility/transport KV-107IIA-SM-4 3 Air ambulance
EADS CASA C-295 Transport C-295W 4[9]

See also

References