The event at the Kaaba in 1979 was a seizure, not a rescue. Therefore, the question is more accurately phrased as: Who was involved in ending the siege of the Kaaba in 1979? The Saudi Arabian government, with assistance from foreign advisors, ultimately ended the siege.
In November 1979, Juhayman al-Otaybi, a Salafi preacher, led a group of insurgents in seizing the Grand Mosque in Mecca, which houses the Kaaba. The Saudi government responded by deploying its armed forces to retake the mosque.
Here’s a breakdown of the key players involved in ending the siege:
- Saudi Arabian Government: The primary force responsible for ending the siege. They deployed the Saudi Arabian National Guard and the Saudi Arabian Army.
- Saudi Arabian Armed Forces: These forces, particularly the National Guard, were instrumental in confronting the insurgents within the Grand Mosque.
- Foreign Advisors: The Saudi government sought assistance from foreign experts, particularly from France's GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale), for tactical advice on how to deal with the situation.
It is important to understand that the events of 1979 were a siege, and the Saudi government, with support, suppressed the insurgents to regain control of the Grand Mosque. Juhayman al-Otaybi, as referenced, was the leader of those who seized the Grand Mosque.
