Djibouti Armed Forces

TheDjibouti Armed Forces(DJAF;French:Force Armée Djiboutienne FAD,Arabic:الجيش الجيبوتي,romanized:aljaysh aljibutiu,Somali:Ciidanka Dalka Jabuuti) are the military forces ofDjibouti. They consist of theDjiboutian National Armyand its sub-branches theDjiboutian Air ForceandDjiboutian Navy. As of 2018, the Djibouti Armed Forces consists of 20,470 (2018 est.) ground troops, which are divided into severalregimentsandbattalionsgarrisoned in various areas throughout the country. The Djibouti Armed Forces are an important player in theBab-el-MandebandRed Sea.
In 2015 General Zakaria Chiek Imbrahim waschief d'etat-major general(chief of staff) of theForces Armees Djiboutiennes. He assumed command in November 2013.
Djibouti has always been a very active member in the African Union and the Arab League.
Historically, Somali society accorded prestige to the warrior (waranle) and rewarded military prowess. Except for men of religion (wadaad), who were few in number, all Somali males were considered potential warriors.
Djibouti's manySultanateseach maintained regular troops. In the early Middle Ages, the conquest ofShewaby theIfat Sultanateignited a rivalry for supremacy with theSolomonic Dynasty.
Many similar battles were fought between the succeedingSultanate of Adaland the Solomonids, with both sides achieving victory and suffering defeat. During the protractedEthiopian-Adal War(1529–1559),ImamAhmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazidefeated severalEthiopian Emperorsand embarked on a conquest referred to as theFutuh Al-Habash("Conquest of Abyssinia"), which brought three-quarters of Christian Abyssinia under the power of theMuslimAdal Sultanate.Al-Ghazi's forces and theirOttomanallies came close to extinguishing the ancient Ethiopian kingdom, but the Abyssinians managed to secure the assistance ofCristóvão da Gama'sPortuguesetroops and maintain their domain's autonomy. However, both polities in the process exhausted their resources and manpower, which resulted in the contraction of both powers and changed regional dynamics for centuries to come.
The1st Battalion of Somali Skirmishers, formed in 1915 from recruits from the French Somali Coast, was a unit belonging to theFrench Colonial Army. They distinguished himself during theFirst World War, notably during the resumption ofFort Douaumont,Battle of Verdunin October 1916 alongside theRégiment d'infanterie-chars de marineand theSecond Battle of the Aisnein October 1917. 
In May and June 1918, they took part in the Third Battle Of The Aisne and in July in theSecond Battle of the Marne. In August and September 1918, the Somali battalion fought on the Oise front and in October 1918 he obtained his second citation to the order of the army as well as the right to wear aFourragèrein the colors of the ribbon of theCroix de guerre 1914–1918. Between 1915 and 1918, over 2,088 Djiboutians served as combat in theFirst World War. Their losses are estimated at 517 killed and 1,000 to 1,200 injured.
During theItalian invasionand occupation ofEthiopiain the mid-1930s and during the early stages ofWorld War II, constant border skirmishes occurred between the forces inFrench Somalilandand the forces inItalian East Africa. After the fall of France in 1940,French Somalilanddeclared loyalty to Vichy France. The colony remained loyal to Vichy France during theEast African Campaignbut stayed out of that conflict. British forces in Ethiopia begin dropping leaflets calling on the French Somaliland to rally toFree France. The newspaper Djibouti Libre published inDire Dawais also air dropped into the Vichy controlled colony and a 15-minute newscast is broadcast over the radio. In1942: Vichy recalls Governor Pierre Nouailhetas after his superiors decide that he is in too close contact with the British. Nouailhetas delegates his authority to the military commander General Truffert. Two battalions, accompanied by civilians, leave Djibouti to join the British forces inBritish Somaliland. General Truffert is forced to resign and cede power to his adjutant General Dupont after a great majority of Djibouti's military and civil administrators threaten to leave for British held Somaliland. This lasted until December 1942. By that time, the Italians had been defeated and the French colony was isolated by a British blockade. Free French and Allied forces recaptured the colony's capital ofDjiboutiat the end of 1942. A local battalion of Somali skirmishers to participate in the battles for theliberation of France, it participated in particular in the fighting atPointe de Gravein April 1945. On April 22, 1945,General de Gaulleawarded the Somali battalion a citation to the army and decorated the battalion's pennant inSoulac-sur-Mer. The Somali battalion was dissolved on June 25, 1946.
TheOgaden War(13 July 1977 – 15 March 1978) was a conflict fought between theEthiopian governmentandSomali government. The Djibouti government supported Somalia withmilitary intelligence. In a notable illustration of the nature of Cold War alliances, theSoviet Unionswitched from supplying aid to Somalia to supporting Ethiopia, which had previously been backed by theUnited States. This in turn prompted the U.S. to later start supportingSomalia. The war ended when Somali forces retreated back across the border and a truce was declared.
In the 27 May to June 13, 1991, the Djiboutian Armed Forces andFFDJparticipated in Operation Godoria. The President of the Djiboutian Republic,Hassan Gouled Aptidondescribed this as a "invasion". At the end of May 1991, the collapse of theEthiopian regimethe Assab loyalist division. Crossed the border at dawn, cornered on the northern border of Djibouti, Assab's division, 9,000 strong, crossed the Djiboutian-Ethiopian border with arms and luggage and headed towardsObock. Simultaneously, another division crossed the Western border and moved towardsDikhil.This violation of the borders by a regular foreign army falls strictly within the framework of the protocols passed betweenFranceandDjibouti. This is why, on May 26 at 10:30 p.m., Operation Godoria is launched, all Djiboutian and French forces, land, air and sea stationed in Djibouti participate in it. Djiboutian Army, prohibitEthiopian troopsfrom surging towards the south. Djiboutian and French troops deployed, facing the firmness of their interlocutors, the Ethiopian officers yielded to the demands and agreed to continue the disarmament already begun. The5th Overseas Interarms Regimenttook charge of a detachment of 4,300 military refugees, accompanied by a few families and embarked in 120 vehicles of all types heading towards the southernborder. The initial aim is to clean up a border area of 150 km2, collect, remove supplies, inventory and hand over abandoned weapons to the Djiboutian authorities. The "Lynx Mike" detachment identifies thousands of individual and collective weapons, includes theT 55,ZU-23-2,BTRandBRDM, finally destroys the 50 tons of unpackaged ammunition of all calibers. From May 30 to June 13, there will be a total of 12,500 weapons from theAK47to theT64, including LRMs, 122 howitzers and more than 200 tons of ammunition from the 200 kg bomb to the cartridge factory, via rockets LRM which will have been moved, sorted, stored, even for some of them neutralized or destroyed.For the first time since the accession to independence of Djibouti, the Djiboutian national army and the French forces placed in a highly operational environment, will have proved the validity of the defense agreements binding the two countries contributed to the success of this mission to safeguard the Republic of Djibouti. Perfectly impregnated with the spirit of the mission, the porpoises, from the colonel to the simple soldier, knew how to demand from thisEthiopian army, demoralized, but still supervised, the strict application of the orders emanating from the civil and military authorities, Djiboutian and French, in starting with disarmament before providing them with the food support that has become essential. Around 10:00 am, the convoy begins its progress in the direction ofAli Sabieh. Then reached Ali Sabieh where the refugees were taken care of by the Djiboutian Army and the High Commissioner for Refugees. Most will reach the region ofDire Dawa, in easternEthiopia.
The first war which involved the Djiboutian armed forces was theDjiboutian Civil Warbetween the Djiboutian government, supported byFrance, and theFront for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy(FRUD). The war lasted from 1991 to 2001, although most of the hostilities ended when the moderate factions of FRUD signed a peace treaty with the government after suffering an extensive military setback when the government forces captured most of the rebel-held territory. A radical group continued to fight the government, but signed its own peace treaty in 2001. The war ended in a government victory, and FRUD became a political party.
Djibouti has fought in clashes againstEritreaover theRas Doumeirapeninsula, which both countries claim to be under their sovereignty. The first clash occurred in 1996 after a nearly two-months stand-off. In 1999, a political crisis occurred when both sides accused each other for supporting its enemies. In 2008, the countries clashed again when Djibouti refused to return Eritrean deserters and Eritrea responded by firing at the Djiboutian forces. In the following battles, some 44 Djiboutian troops and some estimated 100 Eritreans were killed.
In 2011, Djibouti troops also joined theAfrican Union Mission to Somalia.Djibouti deployed troops to Somalia to fightAl-Shabaabforces andAl-Qaedaoperatives, with the hopes of dismantling both groups to support the transitional governmental structures, implement a national security plan, train the Somali security forces, and to assist in creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Djibouti's responsibilities include providing security inHiranandGalguduudregions.
As of 2013, the Djibouti Armed Forces (DJAF) are composed of three branches: the Djibouti National Army, which consists of the Coastal Navy, the Djiboutian Air Force (Force Aerienne Djiboutienne, FAD), and the National Gendarmerie (GN). The Army is by far the largest, followed by the Air Force and Navy. The Commander-in-Chief of the DJAF is the President of Djibouti and the Minister of Defence oversees the DJAF on a day-to-day basis.
Refer to decree No 2003-0166/PR/MDN on organization of Djibouti Armed Forces.The armed forces consist of:
TheDjiboutian National Army(DNA) is the largest branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces. Just prior to independence in 1977, the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas established a national army to defend the Djiboutian's borders. The 6 June 1977 has since been marked as Armed Forces Day. After independence, theFront de Libération de la Côte des Somalistroops merged to form the 2,500 strongDjiboutian National Army.Djibouti maintains a modest military force of approximately 20,470 troops; the army is made of 18,600 troops (IISS 2018). The latter are divided into severalregimentsandbattalionsgarrisoned in various areas throughout the country.The Army has four military districts (the Tadjourah, Dikhil, Ali-Sabieh and Obock districts).Clashes with theMilitary of Eritrea, 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 counterattacks but ill-suited for armoured warfare. The2008 border clashesat 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. 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. The official tasks of the armed forces include strengthening the country against external attack, and maintaining border security. Djiboutian troops continue to monitor its borders withEritrea, in the case of an attack. The Djiboutian Army is one of the small professional advanced armies inEast Africa.
Its maneuver units are:
Italydelivered 10 howitzers M-109L (in 2013), tens IVECO trucks (ACM90, cranes, tankers, etc.), some IVECO armoured car Puma 4X4 and IVECO utility vehicles VM90.
In reforming the Djiboutian Army, most of the available financial resources have been directed to the development of the Land Forces. Over the years, Djiboutian Army has established partnerships with militaries inFrance,Egypt,Saudi Arabia,Moroccoand theUnited States. Currently, the amount allocated to defense represents the largest single entry in the country's budget.
TheDjiboutian National Gendarmerieis the national Gendarmerie force of Djibouti, tasked with high-risk and specialized law enforcement duties. It is one of the two main police forces in Djibouti (the other being the Djiboutian Police - a civilian force), both having jurisdiction over the civilian population.It is a branch of the Djiboutian Armed Forces placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior—with additional duties to the Ministry of Defense. Its area of responsibility includes smaller towns, rural and suburban areas.
TheDjiboutian Navy(DN) is the naval service branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces. The force was launched two years after Djibouti gained its independence in 1977. It is responsible for securingDjibouti'sterritorial watersand 314-kilometre (195 mi) seaboard as well as supporting army operations. The primary objective of the navy is to safeguard the nation's maritime borders,  act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of Djibouti, both in war and peace. Through joint exercises and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief, the Djiboutian Navy promotes bilateral relations between nations. It has a fleet ofgunboats, fastmissile boatsand support, training, which can be deployed to defend the territorial waters and coastline of Djibouti as well as protecttankerspassing through theBab-el-Mandebstrait. The acquisition of the several boats from the US in 2006 considerably increased the navy's ability to patrol over longer distances and to remain at sea for several days at a time. Cooperation with theUSandYemeninavies is also increasing in an effort to protect and maintain the safety and security of the Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC). The Navy is upgrading itself with the following technological developments.
TheDjiboutian Coast Guard(DCG) (French:Garde-Côtes DjiboutienneGCD), is the coast guard of Djibouti is a division of theDjiboutian Navyresponsible for protecting the interests of theRepublic of Djiboutiatsea. Formed in 2011, the coast guard is tasked with such asillegal fishingand exploitation of natural resources,search and rescue(SAR), protection ofecology,fishing,marine pollution, ballast waters, combat againstterrorism, trafficking of people, narcotics, and similar. Like many other coast guards, it is a paramilitary organization that can support the Djiboutian Navy in wartime, but resides under separate civilian control in times of peace. The Coast Guard monitor vessels sailing in the Djiboutian territorial waters.The Djiboutian Coast Guard interceptedrefugeeandmigrantboats travelling across theBab-el-Mandeb.
TheDjiboutian Air Force(DAF) (French: Force Aérienne du Djibouti (FADD)) was established as part of the Djibouti Armed Forces after the country obtained its independence on June 27, 1977. Its first aircraft included three Nord N.2501 Noratlas transport aircraft and anAlouette IIhelicopter presented to it by the French. In 1982, the Djibouti Air Force was augmented by two Aerospatiale AS.355F Ecureuil 2 helicopters and a Cessna U206G Stationair, this was followed in 1985 by a Cessna 402C Utiliner. In 1985, the Alouette II was withdrawn from use and put on display at Ambouli Air Base at Djibouti's airport. In 1987, the three N.2501 Noratlas were also retired and subsequently returned to France. New equipment came, in 1991, in the form of a Cessna 208 Caravan, followed by Russian types in the early nineties. These included four Mil Mi 2, six Mil Mi 8 and two Mil Mi 17 helicopters and a single Antonov An 28 light transport aircraft. Pilot training for the 360 men of the DAF, if necessary, is conducted in France with continued on type flight training at home. The DAF has no units of its own and forms in whole a part of the Army, its sole base is Ambouli.
The main doctrine consists of the following principles:
The size and structure of the Djibouti Armed Forces is continually evolving.
As of 2018, Djibouti Armed Forces were reported to have 18,000–20,000 active personnel, 10,500–11,000 reserve personnel.
Djibouti first UN Peacekeeping mission was in 1994, when it deployed uniformed personnel to theUN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH)and theUN Assistance Mission for Rwanda(UNAMIR). Djibouti UN peacekeeping mission in theDarfur,Sudanin 2010, withdrew their personnel fromSudanon the 30 June 2021. Djibouti has committed to strengthening international action through theAfrican Unionto achieve collective security and uphold the goals enshrined in the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Deployed in 3 countries inSomalia,Democratic Republic of the CongoandCentral African Republic.
The table below shows the current deployment of Djiboutian Forces in UN Peacekeeping missions.
France's5e RIAOMare currently stationed in Djibouti.
The ItalianBase Militare Nazionale di Supporto(National Support Military Base) is capable to host 300 troops and someUAVs.
TheItalian Military Support Base in Djibouti, established in 2013, monitors commercial traffic, addresses piracy, and supports counter-terrorism and military operations in the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean.
There is alsoCombined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, a U.S. force of more than 3,500, currently deployed in the country atCamp Lemonnier.
TheJapan Self-Defense Force Base Djiboutiwas established in 2011.TheDeployment Airforce for Counter-Piracy Enforcement(DAPE): Established in 2011 with approximately 600 deployed personnel from theJapan Maritime Self-Defense Force, on a rotational basis, operating naval vessels and maritime patrol aircraft. Japan reportedly pays $30 million per year for the military facilities, from which it conducts anti-piracy operations in the region. The base also acts as a hub for operations throughout the East African coastline.
TheChinese naval support base in Djiboutibegan construction in 2016and was officially opened in 2017.