UAE extends compulsory military service term for men

The legal term of the national service has been increased from from 12 months to 16 months

by Aarti Nagraj

July 8, 2018

The UAE has announced that the compulsory term served by Emirati men in the military has been extended.

The General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces announced that the legal term of the national service has been increased from from 12 months to 16 months for Emirati men who hold a high secondary school certificate and above.

The extension has been authorised by the Federal Law No. (6) pertaining to national and reserve service that was issued in 2014, official news agency WAM reported.

The law applies to all males between the ages of 18 and 30 who are in good medical health. When initially issued, the law stated that men who have a high school degree or its equivalent will serve nine months, while those who do not have a high school diploma will serve for two years.

Military service is optional for women and requires the approval of their legal guardians. They can serve for up to nine months.

The law also stated that military service will include training periods, exercises and lectures on patriotism and security.

Since its implementation, the national service programme has “achieved positive results and reflected positively on the conduct of the recruits,” the WAM report said.

“It is considered one of the UAE’s most effective and important strategic move, in the light of its anticipated strategic outcomes in political, military, security, national, social and economic terms,” it added.

The UAE has been heavily involved in the operations of the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting against the Houthi militants in Yemen since March 2015. The coalition aims to restore Yemen’s former President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government back to power.

Most recently, the UAE has also leading the operations in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, and has also been coordinating with UN envoy Martin Griffiths to end fighting in the city.

Reem al-Hashimy, the UAE minister of state for international cooperation, told reporters in Abu Dhabi last week that the coalition was in close contact with UN envoy Giffiths “and we do want to see this come to a positive conclusion.”

But she added: “There are really certain elements we won’t sway from … the withdrawal of Houthis from the city [Hoedeidah] is essential.”

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