National Guard (Bahrain)
| National Guard الحرس الوطني | |
|---|---|
|
National Guard Insignia | |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Country | Bahrain |
| Allegiance | Bahrain |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Land Force |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 3,800 |
| Part of | King of Bahrain |
| Garrison/HQ | Al-Sakhir, Bahrain |
| Anniversaries | 7 January |
| Engagements | Bahraini uprising (2011–present) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| Insignia | |
| National Guard flag |
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Bahrain |
The National Guard of Bahrain (Arabic: الحرس الوطني) is a separate military force in Bahrain that serves both as defence force against external threats and as a security force against internal threats. It was established in 1997, through a royal decree by then Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.[1]
The National Guard is currently commanded by Lieutenant-General Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, brother of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.[2][3] It consists of about 2,000 personnel.[4]
The National Guard has been involved in the Bahrain government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters during the Bahraini uprising.[5]
The National Guard consists of many non-Bahraini personnel, and during the Bahraini uprising recruited heavily from Pakistan through the Fauji Foundation.[6][7][8][9]
References
- ↑ "Decree No 1 of the Year 1997 on the Establishment and Formation of the National Guard". Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Bahrain. 7 January 1997.
- ↑ Monroe, William (9 April 2007). "Prominent Shias Paint Gloomy Picture of Shia Outlook in Bahrain". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable: 07MANAMA328. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ↑ "HM King Hamad Visits the National Guard". Bahrain News Agency. 3 March 2011.
- ↑ "Bahrain". The 2011 US Department of State Background Notes. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
Bahrain also has a national guard that consists of about 2,000 personnel.
- ↑ "Bahrain Defence Force General Command". Bahrain News Agency. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
- ↑ "Pakistani troops aid Bahrain's crackdown". Aljazeera.com. 30 July 2011.
- ↑ "Overseas Employment Services: Fauji Foundation headhunts for Bahrain's security units". The Express Tribune. 11 March 2011.
- ↑ Riedel, Bruce (2 August 2011). "The New Bahrain-Pakistan Alliance". The National Interest.
- ↑ "Bahrain's Foreign Police Add to Tensions". The Wall Street Journal. 25 March 2011.