The National Archives Celebrates the 42nd

Anniversary of the Establishment of the Armed Forces

In commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the UAE armed forces, the National Archives of the United Arab Emirates organized a celebration, which included a documentary about the establishment of the UAE Armed Forces, the development of the UAE Army and its military and humanitarian role in the UAE and abroad, in addition to a lecture entitled: (UAE Armed Forces .. From the Formation to Unification). On this occasion, the National Archives honored its employees who performed the national service.

The documentary highlighted the history of the armed forces and the attention received from the Founding Leader, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the UAE leaders who followed his example and provided the UAE armed forces with all the requirements for development and support, which made it capable of defending our homeland.

The lecture, presented by Mohammed Ismail Abdullah, the lecturer at the National Archives, reviewed the beginnings of the formation of the armed forces, which took off with the establishment of the “Trucial Oman Levies” in May 1951, stationed in Sharjah, and the change of its name in 1956 to “Trucial Oman Scouts”. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Defense Force (ADF) was bigger in number and better equipped with arms during the reign of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The meeting of the Supreme Defense Council, which was held on May 6th, 1976 under the chairmanship of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, led to the  declaration of the unification of the United Arab Emirates’ armed forces; which started a long process of development and modernization, and received full supported that made it a strong shield to protect the UAE and preserve its gains and achievements of the wise leadership and the people of the UAE.  Thus, the pillars of the Union were completed, as its strong army was able to protect its march, safeguard its lands and provide it with security and safety.  The role of the UAE army was not limited to that.  As it has always been a lover of peace, our armed forces have participated in many military and humanitarian tasks and duties in various parts of the world in the past decades, because of the belief of its wise leadership in the importance of assisting friends in military and humanitarian aspects. The UAE army contributed to international peacekeeping operations with the aim of achieving security and stability, presenting aid and relief in the areas of conflict. The UAE armed forces were therefore missions of good, giving and tolerance, and have always been instrumental in the dissemination of humanitarian values in the areas of conflict and natural disasters.

The National Archives concluded the ceremony, held at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, by honoring its employees who completed with pride their military national service. The National Archives considered that the performance of the national service is a great national duty and an honor for any young man, to be prepared to respond to the nation’s call, and that the performance of this national duty is the culmination of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to the wise leadership.