Qatar Amiri Guard
Military unit charged with protecting the Amir of Qatar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Qatar Amiri Guard (Arabic: الحرس الأميري, also spelled the Emiri Guard) is an elite military protection unit of the Qatar Armed Forces.[1] Their barracks are located in downtown Doha.[2]
| Qatar Amiri Guard | |
|---|---|
| الحرس الأميري | |
The Amiri Guard during the visit of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in March 2018. | |
| Country |  Qatar |
| Allegiance | .svg){kind=small} House of Thani |
| Type | Royal guard |
| Role | Public duties Royal security |
| Part of | Qatar Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Doha |
Activities
Protective services
The unit's primary responsibilities include ensuring the security of the Emir of Qatar and the House of Al Thani. Members of the unit stand guard at the Emir's residence in the capital of Doha and escort the head of state to different events.[citation needed]
Ceremonial duties
The unit provides public duties on behalf of the entire military. It provides guards of honor during military ceremonies (e.g. military parades, state visits, and funeral honors). It uses British style honor guard rituals when providing a general salute or conducting any commands in general. Members of the guard are annual participants in the Qatari National Day Parade.[citation needed]
Assets
- The Amiri Guard maintains a guard school at Barzan Camp that serves as a training center for potential recruits. Outside of Qatari forces, troops from the Kuwait Armed Forces also have been trained here.[3]
- The Amiri Guard Heliport is maintained in Ar-Rayyan.[citation needed]
- To the south of the village of Lehsiniya is a shooting range for the Amiri Guard.[4]
- The guard has its own headquarters building to operate out of in the capital city. It currently accommodates three companies of 70 guards.[5]
International cooperation
The guard has had multiple opportunities to engage with its foreign counterparts. During a visit of Amiri Guard Commander Major General Hazza bin Khalil al-Shahwani to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, discussions of cooperation in the military field was held with President Arif Alvi.[6] In January 2020, the guard launched the two-week Al Kawaser 2 drill with the Sultan's Special Force of Oman.[7]