Gulf states want women in the army (but bring a note from your husband)

Women in the Gulf states are participating in various military roles, whether in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Oman. Their integration into Gulf armies has occurred gradually over the years, and in some countries, it has also touched upon religious sensitivities. In all Gulf states, women's service is entirely voluntary. Even where mandatory service laws exist, they apply only to men.

Against the backdrop of regional tension, recent attacks by Iran against its neighbors, and the push by Gulf states to showcase their military capabilities, the question of the role of women in these armies has gained prominence. On July 5, the Kuwaiti army announced the opening of a new recruitment round for women. Registration took place from July 6-13, with requirements including Kuwaiti citizenship, an age range of 21-26, a minimum height of 1.5 meters, and medical fitness, followed by a personal interview.

In June, Kuwait recorded a historic event when Minister of Defense Abdullah Al-Ali appointed the first group of female officers in the army. These university graduates are seen as a high-quality addition to the forces. Kuwait first opened registration for women in 2021, though the process was initially halted due to pressure from religious elements. Progress was later made by setting conditions that limited areas of activity for women and required the consent of a guardian or husband, alongside adherence to a dress code.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense published an invitation on August 13 for women to apply for pilot training at the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College. Requirements included being a citizen, aged 18-22, at least 1.65 meters tall, and having good conduct and a specific high school GPA. The UAE was a pioneer in this regard: the recruitment of women began in the early 90s with the establishment of the Khawla bint Al-Azwar Military Academy. One of the most well-known figures is Mariam Al-Mansouri, the first woman to fly a fighter jet in the UAE, who participated in operations against ISIS in Syria.

In Qatar, it was officially reported in 2018 that women aged 18 and over could enlist for national service voluntarily. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Defense opened military positions to women in 2019 as part of the kingdom's "Vision 2030" initiative, with recruitment beginning in 2021. Women also volunteer in the armies of Oman, Bahrain, and Iraq.

According to Dr. Yoel Guzansky, a former member of the National Security Council and head of the Gulf program at the INSS, there has been a boom in recruitment in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Among the reasons is the changing security situation. While threats in the Gulf are not new, they are intensifying, requiring countries to utilize their populations differently.

Dr. Guzansky notes: "In Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, a recruitment law for men was introduced that includes regular service and reserve duty. Women are not required to enlist but can volunteer; this is relatively common in the UAE, where female soldiers serve in various roles, and less so in Qatar and Kuwait." The motives for mandatory recruitment are strategic (strengthening military power), political (strengthening the connection between citizens and the state), and social (improving discipline and cohesion among the youth).

"The mandatory recruitment that began in the Gulf is not only a security step but also a large-scale move of 'citizenship engineering,' serving as a school for discipline and life skills," Dr. Guzansky concludes. "The service is a mechanism through which monarchies seek to reshape army-society relations, strengthen regime legitimacy, and create loyalty among the younger generation."