Djiboutian Army

Djiboutian Army WMA-301 during a demonstration at Maryama base.

Djibouti has a smaller military than its neighbors. However, its security stops against foreign incursions. In reforming the Djiboutian National Army, most of the available attention and financial resources have been directed to the development of the Land Forces. Clashes with the Eritrean Forces, in 2008, demonstrated the superior nature of the Djiboutian forces’ training and skills, but also highlighted the fact that the small military would be unable to counter the larger, if less well-equipped forces of its neighbours. The army has concentrated on mobility in its equipment purchases, suitable for patrol duties and counterattack but ill-suited for armoured war-fare. The 2008 border clashes at least temporarily swelled the ranks of the Djiboutian army, with retired personnel being recalled, but the military's size and capabilities are much reduced since the 1990s.

As a result of tensions with neighbors during the 1980s and early 2002, the Djiboutian Army refined existing strategic concepts and eventually formulated a plan to restructure its forces. Though wars were avoided, the threats from the 1980s and 2008 encouraged the army to address more effectively its major defense disadvantage: lack of strategic depth. Thus in the early 2000s it looked outward for a model of army organization that would best advance defensive capabilities by restructuring forces into smaller, more mobile units instead of traditional divisions. Over the years, Djiboutian Army has benefited from material and financial support of various countries such as France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United States. Currently, the amount allocated to defense represents the largest single entry in the country's budget.

During, and since, the Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict the army has exploded in size from its peacetime size of between 6,000 and 10,000.

Ali Sabieh Infantry Regiment

Dikhil Infantry Regiment

Obock Infantry Regiment

Tadjoura Infantry Regiment

Djibouti City Rapid Reaction Regiment

One Demining Company

Djiboutian Army Infantry Regiments

The Army has four military districts (the Tadjourah, Dikhil, Ali-Sabieh and Obock districts).[1]

Its maneuver units are:

• One armoured regiment (Régiment Blindé) (Djibouti)(comprising a reconnaissance squadron, three armoured squadrons and an anti-smuggling squadron)[1]
• Four infantry regiments (each comprising three to four infantry companies and a support company)[1]
  • Arms Regiment of Dikhil (Régiment interarmes de Dikhil)
  • Bataillon interarmes d'Ali Sabieh (Ali Sabieh)
  • Arms Regiment of Tadjourah (Régiment interarmes de Tadjourah)
  • Arms Regiment of Obock (Régiment interarmes d'Obock)
• One rapid reaction regiment (Régiment d'action rapide) (Arta)(comprising four infantry companies and a support company)[1]
• One Republican Guard regiment[1]
• One artillery regiment (Régiment d'artillerie) (Djibouti)[1]
• One demining company[1]
• One signals regiment[1]
• One computer and information systems section[1]
• One logistics regiment[1]
• One maintenance company[1]

Djibouti has participated in international mission in Somalia and Sudan. There are 3,500[2] Djiboutian army personnel deployed abroad. Djibouti withdrew their personnel from Sudan on the 30 June 2021.

Citations

Works consulted

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: IISS. ISSN 0459-7222.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2021). The Military Balance 2021. Vol. 121. Routledge. ISBN 9781032012278.

Media related to Army of Djibouti at Wikimedia Commons