UK training Saudi forces used to crush Arab spring

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

• British military personnel run courses for snipers
• Human rights groups furious over Riyadh link

Jamie Doward and Philippa Stewart | Saturday May 28 2011 21.00 BST

Britain is training Saudi Arabia's national guard – the elite security force deployed during the recent protests in Bahrain – in public order enforcement measures and the use of sniper rifles. The revelation has outraged human rights groups, which point out that the Foreign Office recognises that the kingdom's human rights record is "a major concern".

In response to questions made under the Freedom of Information Act, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed that British personnel regularly run courses for the national guard in "weapons, fieldcraft and general military skills training, as well as incident handling, bomb disposal, search, public order and sniper training". The courses are organised through the British Military Mission to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, an obscure unit that consists of 11 British army personnel under the command of a brigadier.

The MoD response, obtained yesterday by the Observer, reveals that Britain sends up to 20 training teams to the kingdom a year. Saudi Arabia pays for "all BMM personnel, as well as support costs such as accommodation and transport".

Bahrain's royal family used 1,200 Saudi troops to help put down demonstrations in March. At the time the British government said it was "deeply concerned" about reports of human rights abuses being perpetrated by the troops.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/28/uk-training-saudi-troops

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Related article from February: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4743260">On Tour In Gulf States With British "Defence" Manufacturers, David Cameron Hits Out At Critics Of Britain's Arms Trade

And an OP from the same time: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x496553">So, Britain Sent The SAS To Train Gaddafi's Elite Troops In 2009 & Sold Him Sniper Rifles In 2010...

[DeSwiss]

1. It's too late.

- They should turn around and go home. But it's too late for them too......

K&R

[xchrom]

2. recommend

[BadtotheboneBob]

3. This is nothing new...

The British Army has provided training and leadership (in the form of 'Seconded' Officers) to Arab nations since the end of WWI and the collapse of the Ottoman empire. The Arab Legion, formed in 1920, which was officially the army of Trans-Jordan and fought against the Jews in 1948 Arab-Israeli War was commanded by three successive British Officers until 1956. 'Seconded' British Army officers have also served in the military of several Arab Gulf countries most notably Oman and the UAE. The SAS has participated in numerous counter-insurgency campaigns in Oman and Yemen. The British have been 'hip deep' in that vicinity for years...

[daleo]

4. Meanwhile, they are bombing Libya in the name of democracy

Something doesn't add up.

[StarsInHerHair]

5. THE UK IS TRAINING death squads SNIPER RIFLES ARENT CROWD CONTROL

see, the US isn't the only 1.