Internal Security Force
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2003 Attachment authority: Son Altesse l’Émir Workforce: Non communiqué Force Commander: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Address: ISF ( LAKHWIYA) Tél. : +974 4477 9999 Email: lekhwiya@isf.gov.qa 
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History
What the word of "Lekhwiya" means: Authentic word coming from Qatari heritage which origin is (khoi), "brother". The Qatari people for the tribesmen close to the ruler who were collecting tax and assuring security and integrity maintenance of the society used it previously. This word refers to the homeland driven by God’s love, to the patriotism and to the leader’s love. The "Lekhwiya" is organized by the law n° 12 of the year 2003, which first article stated the establishment of a regular armed security force called "the Internal Security Force" directly connected to His highness the Emir.
On September 6th, 2004, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani is appointed as the Interior Security Forces Commander. On January 14th, 2008, a letter of intent is signed between the French National Gendarmerie General Direction and this Interior Security Force with the aim of an Interior Security Academy creation.
Organization
• A Special Operation Unit. Main component of the "Lekhwiya", it is in charge of various types of public demonstrations, riot actions and sit-down strikes control. It guaranties and secures conferences and sport competitions on any occasion. It ensures the important facilities security in all circumstances and also conducts combat tasks & operations. It has participated notably in UN Peace keeping missions in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
• A Communication and Operation Group. This unit has the latest telecommunications equipment in the region used in order to support all the "Lekhwiya" components. One of its main prerogatives consists in a surveillance mission through an operational control room, which has the abilities to support all of them in their actions through several emergency plans when it is necessary. Its members are up to date with the latest technologies through continues training.
• The Mobile Hospital. It is a singularity in the region; it was designed specially in order to meet the Force specific demands. It has the mission to support the Medical Unit. It is used for "Lekhwiya" emergency missions, and can be projected abroad in order to ensure humanitarian Aid missions. This mobile hospital is has an operation room allowing urgent and small surgeries with a full capacity of 8 persons. Equipped with modern medical equipment, it also has an oxygen chamber, which is the biggest in the region, with the capacity to welcome 12 patients and which can lead 6 sessions a day, making the total number of 72 patients per day.
• A Motorized Unit in charge of road patrols and VIP’s protection. It is known by the public for its continual Patrols in urban area. It guarantees in particular the road security and VIPs’ convoys while assisting significantly the traffic police in the road traffic management and the interception of vehicles and drivers that are in breach of the law.
• Bomb Squad. This Unit operates under complete integrated system within the Force; it consists of five teams, each of them being ready to operate any time. These demining teams are specialized as well in suspicious package treatment as in watching fireworks storages; they also have to guarantee both safety and security for every kind of events; there is a specific team specialized in the chemical explosives, radiations and biological materials. Another team is specialized in the maintenance of the used equipment. Finally, there is the K9 unit, which deals with the public events security and the research of explosive materials.
• Search and Rescue Unit. The unit is divided into five specific domains:
- the fire fighting;
- the emergency medical help;
- the air rescue;
- the maritime rescue;
- the chemical defence.
The Unit is equipped with the last materials and equipment specially designed for its missions. Since 2005, the team has participated in 23 international missions.
• Special Group. It is specifically in charge of:
- fighting against all terrorism types;
- guarantee and protect the VIPS needing special security;
- arrest every person wanted by the justice;
- conduct combat tasks.
Missions
The "Lekhwiya" takes any necessary measures to maintain and ensure the security and the prosperity in order to stabilize the country. According to the law, the Force supports all the State competent organs, protect the public facilities, fights against terrorist acts, ensure the VIP’ security and secure the road of his Highness the Emir, the crown prince and the dignitaries. It fights against smuggling, contraband and any illegal entrance in the State and the violation of the environment. It secures the coast and territorial waters. It fronts any kind of riots. It ensures international and regional conferences as well as important events security. It handles explosive materials.
The "Lekhwiya" exchanges intelligence with locally and internationally concerned organizations, while leading Security patrols in order to ensure the security and the law and order, to record infringements and crimes committed in its jurisdictions and to look for the authors. Its staff, composed of officers and non-commissioned officers of law enforcement members and duly authorized by the judicial authority, are acting according to the law, in close collaboration with the magistrates, and in particular according to criminal procedure code provision capacities.
Staff
Information not provided.
Main equipment
• Information not provided.
Cooperation
The French-Qatari cooperation, regarding internal security, is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (1996), a technical arrangement (2005) and an agreement (2014) taken with the French National Gendarmerie. The operational and technical cooperation with the diverse Qatar security forces is developing and growing up year after year since the Emirate Home Office asked for the French National Gendarmerie support in its security projects, in particular for those aiming at the 2022 Doha Soccer World Cup.
In this context, the French Gendarmerie schools regularly welcome representatives of the Interior Security Force (ISF) in order to train them and to prepare them for public security, maintenance of law and order and Criminal Investigation Department missions.
© The iconography was provided by the concerned gendarmeries