RR7012A RAS AL KHAIMA: ANOTHER PRIVATE ARMY IN THE GULF

(21 Mar 1970) RR7012A RAS AL KHAIMA: ANOTHER PRIVATE ARMY IN THE GULF

Ras Al Khaima is a small, remote sheikhdom on the
North-East top of the Arabian Peninsular. It is one of
the smallest and poorest of the seven sheikhdoms
which make up the Trucial States. Britain, which still
holds responsibility for the region's foreign policy and
defence, will be withdrawing its military presence in
1971, leaving behind what many people in the area
feel will be an awkward - and possibly dangerous -
power vacuum. Three of the sheikhdoms have
already reacted by forming their own private armies,
and now Ras Al Khaima has joined them, to the
dismay of Britain, which had hoped to see the states
united in a strong federation under a common
defence force. In this Report, we take a look at this
rarely-visited corner of Arabia and talk to its Ruler,
Sheikh Saqr, as well as to the British Commanding
Officer of its new army.

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