Saudi Arabian Royal Guard

Saudi Arabian Royal Guard
الحرس الملكي السعودي
Active3 November 1803 (222 years
ago by Imam Saud al Kabeer)
Country Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
AllegianceKing of Saudi Arabia
Branch
TypeRoyal Guard
RoleCeremonial guard, light infantry
Part of
  • Royal Guard Presidency
  • Royal Guard Emirate (1953–1964)
  • Ministry of Defense (1933–1953)
Garrison/HQRiyadh
Commanders
Current
commander
General Suheil al-Mutiri
The then US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson posing with members of the royal guard.
Members of the Saudi Royal Guard Regiment with President Trump and King Salman in May 2017.

The Saudi Arabian Royal Guard (Arabic: الحرس الملكي السعودي, romanized: Al-Ḥars al-Malakī as-Suʿūdī) is a unit in the Saudi Armed Forces. Originally an independent military force, the Royal Guards were incorporated into the Armed Forces since its inception until 1953. The Royal Guards retained their unique mission of protecting the Saudi ruling family. Units of the Royal Guard protect the King of Saudi Arabia and other relatives.

The Royal Guards report directly to the king and for security reasons maintain a separate communications network from the regular army.

Members of the Royal Guard Regiment often wear the flowing white thaub (robe) and white kaffiyah and qhutrah (traditional Arab headgear of skullcap and scarf). Royal Guardsmen wear bright green berets when in conventional uniform.

The Royal Guard Regiment consists of three light infantry battalions, based near Riyadh. The commander of the Royal Guard is General Suheil al-Mutiri.

Mission, Engagement and Responsibilities of the Royal Guard

Mission

To carry out all procedures and use all available means to ensure the security and protection of the King and the Crown Prince within and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The head of the royal guard is directly linked to the Saudi king.

Duties

Uniforms

The military uniform of the Royal Guard consists of four models:

Ranks

Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Saudi Arabian Royal Guard
Fariq Awwal Fariq Liwa Amid Aqid Muqaddam Raid Naqib Mulazim Awwal Mulazim
فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal
فريق
Fariq
لواء
Liwa
عميد
Amid
عقيد
Aqid
مقدم
Muqaddam
رائد
Ra'id
نقيب
Naqib
ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal
ملازم
Mulazim
Enlisted
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Saudi Arabian Royal Guard
No insignia
رئيس رقباء
Rayiys ruqaba'
رقيب أول
Raqib 'awal
رقيب
Raqib
وكيل رقيب
Wakil raqib
عريف
Earif
جندي أول
Jundiun awwal
جندي‎‎
Jundiun‎‎

References

  1. ↑ Khatab, Sayed (2011). Understanding Islamic Fundamentalism: The Theological and Ideological Basis of Al-Qa'ida's Political Tactics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9789774164996. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  2. ↑ "Royal Saudi Land Forces". Global Security.
  3. ↑ IISS 2022, p. 366.