National Guard (Bahrain)

National Guard
الحرس الوطني
National Guard Insignia
Founded1997
CountryBahrain
AllegianceBahrain
BranchArmy
TypeLand Force
RoleLand warfare
Size3,800
Part ofKing of Bahrain
Garrison/HQAl-Sakhir, Bahrain
Anniversaries7 January
EngagementsBahraini uprising of 2011
Commanders
Current
commander
General Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa
Insignia
National Guard flag

The National Guard of Bahrain (Arabic: الحرس الوطني) is separate military force from the Bahrain Defence Force. The National Guard is charged with internal security and assisting the Bahrain Defence Force in defending against external threats.[1] It was established in 1997, through a royal decree by then Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.[2]

The National Guard is currently commanded by General Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa,[3][4] brother of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.[5] It consists of about 3,800 personnel.[6]

The National Guard was involved in the government's response to the 2011 Bahraini uprising. State media described the operation as having been carried out "with high standards of competence and professionalism".[7]

  1. ^ The World Factbook
  2. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012.
  3. ^ https://www.crownprince.bh/en/media-centre/news/15422/2023/6/8/HRH-the-Crown-Prince,-Deputy-Supreme-Commander-of-the-Armed-Forces-and-Prime-Minister-congratulated-by-National-Guard-Commander [bare URL]
  4. ^ https://www.bna.bh/en/NationalGuardCommandermeetswithPakistansChiefofArmyStaff.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDsfWKdmYTStGYMQd0B%2Bwob0%3D [bare URL]
  5. ^ "HM King Hamad Visits the National Guard". Bahrain News Agency. 3 March 2011.
  6. ^ "Bahrain". The 2011 US Department of State Background Notes. Retrieved 2 March 2012. Bahrain also has a national guard that consists of about 3,800 personnel.
  7. ^ "Bahrain Defence Force General Command". Bahrain News Agency. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.