1979 - Juhaiman bin Saif’s Attack on the Khana e Kaaba(Makka) – Full Story
On an ordinary morning in 1979, Makkah’s sacred calm was suddenly disrupted when Juhaiman bin Saif led an armed attack on the Kaaba. Pilgrims in Ihram were caught in chaos as gunfire replaced the usual calls to prayer, turning the holy site into a scene of siege and fear. The incident shocked the Muslim world and became one of the most significant security crises in the history of the Haram.
Guns Hidden in Coffins
Juhayman bin Saif and his roughly 300 trained followers had prepared the attack in complete secrecy. Along with the pilgrims, nearly 50 coffins were brought into the Masjid al-Haram under the pretense of funerals. These coffins did not contain bodies but were filled with automatic rifles, ammunition, food, water, and hundreds of rounds of bullets.
By declaring Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Qahtani as the Mahdi, the group instilled religious zeal and complete loyalty among its members. Inside the Haram, all the weapons and personnel were silently positioned, laying the foundation for an attack in one of the most peaceful places on earth.
The Sound of Gunfire Amid Takbeers
Immediately after the Fajr prayer salutations, sudden gunfire erupted inside the Masjid al-Haram, mixing with the cries of Takbeer and the strong smell of gunpowder. Within moments, Juhayman’s group moved fully into action, doors were locked, snipers positioned on the minarets, and underground corridors fortified. Thousands of worshippers in the courtyard panicked and fled, while the Saudi government was stunned by this sudden attack.
As news spread, fear, uncertainty, and a chilling silence gripped the entire Muslim world: a battle in the courtyard of the Kaaba? This was the morning that turned the sacred
Secret French Experts in Mecca
When the siege continued for days without resolution and Juhayman’s armed group remained entrenched in the Masjid’s vast underground tunnels, the Saudi government entered a highly secret and decisive phase. The underground areas of the Haram were then complex, dark, and maze-like—known only to Juhayman’s group. Saudi forces, despite repeated attacks, were unable to advance, and casualties rose every hour.
During this delicate stage, a few experts from the French special forces unit “GIGN” were secretly brought to Mecca. They were formally converted to Islam so they could participate in briefings and planning within the sacred limits.
The French experts did not engage in direct combat but provided full guidance on gas deployment, underground operations, tunnel clearing, and limited use of explosives to the Saudi forces. Under their direction, large drills were used in the courtyard to access the tunnels and weaken the insurgents’ elevated positions.
Bloody Confrontation in the Kaaba’s Basement
In the final days of the siege, the basements of Masjid al-Haram turned into a merciless battlefield. Juhayman and his remaining followers stubbornly held the underground tunnels despite gas, explosions, and flooding. Saudi forces, guided by the French experts, used large drills in the courtyard to open new paths, destroyed entrances to several tunnels, and then launched a final assault with heavy gas usage.
This was the moment when light, noise, and gunfire broke the resolve of the insurgents entrenched in the darkness. Many extremists were killed while attempting to flee, some trapped in water were forced to surrender their weapons, and the rest were captured semi-conscious from gas exposure.
Muhammad bin
Juhayman bin Saif was captured alive along with a few companions at the end of the battle. When brought out in handcuffs, his face reflected nothing but surprise, defeat, and silence. The Saudi authorities conducted extensive interrogations of the captured militants, investigating their network, weapons supply, and ideological foundations. The Sharia court later passed judgment.
Weeks later, 63 insurgents including Juhayman were publicly executed in different cities of Saudi Arabia as a deterrent. After the 15-day siege and bloody battle, the world’s holiest site returned to peace—but Juhayman’s attack left a mark in history that shook the Muslim world.
Clearing the Haram and Saudi Security Reforms
After the siege ended, clearing the Masjid al-Haram of blood and destruction was a difficult and sensitive task. Bodies were removed from the basements, traces of small ammunition were erased, and the Haram was made safe again for worship. This horrifying incident forced the Saudi government to review its security and intelligence policies. Entry and exit points of Mecca and Medina were placed under tight surveillance, and military and police deployments increased.
The Lesson of Juhayman’s Attack
The 1979 Kaaba attack was a shocking and terrifying moment not just for Mecca, but for Muslims worldwide. Juhayman bin Saif’s extremist actions endangered the spiritual safety of millions of worshippers and raised deep concern in the global community. The incident reminds us that sedition in the name of faith always brings blood, fear, and destruction, and strong awareness, education, and systems are essential against any religious or ideological extremism.