| Royal Guard of Bahrain | |
|---|---|
| الحرس الملكي | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Bahraini_honor_guard_for_Robert_Gates_12-6-07_071206-F-6655M-471_0YDDX.jpg) | |
| Active | 1989 - Present |
| Country |  Bahrain |
| Allegiance | &sq=&lang=&file=File:Emblem_of_Bahrain.svg){kind=small} House of Khalifa |
| Branch | &sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_the_Bahrain_Defence_Force.svg){kind=small} Bahrain Defense Force |
| Type | Royal Guard |
| Role | Public Duties/Royal Security |
| Part of | Ministry of Defense |
| Garrison/HQ | Manama |
| Commanders | |
| Commander of the Royal Guard | Major General Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa |
| Insignia | |
| Royal Guard flag | &sq=&lang=&file=File:Flag_of_the_Royal_Guard_of_Bahrain.svg) |
The Royal Guard (Arabic: الحرس الملكي) of Bahrain is a unit of the Bahrain Defence Force.[1] In June 2011, King Hamad appointed his 36-year-old son Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa as the commander of the Royal Guard.[2][3]
Opposition political leader Ali Salman claimed in 2009 that "no Shi'ites have been recruited to work in the Royal Guard even though they make up over half of the population."[4]
- ^ "Bahrain". The 2011 US Department of State Background Notes. United States Department of State. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
The Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) numbers about 13,000 personnel.
- ^ "Captain Shaikh Nasser promoted to colonel and appointed BDF Royal Guard Commander". Bahrain News Agency. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
- ^ "Colonel Shaikh Nasser To Head Royal Guard". Bahrain Tribune. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
- ^ "'Jobs for favourites' claims denied". Gulf Daily News. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
Shi'ites are just five per cent of the Defence Ministry and 20pc of the Interior Ministry and all work in low posts without any promotion, while there are no Shi'ites in the Royal Guard.