Kuwait

Special Forces - Kuwaiti special forces were dealt a severe blow during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. Yet, despite initial losses during the primary assault, it was been reported that Kuwaiti SF troopers regrouped and conducted limited military operations with the assistance of Coalition special operations personnel. The 500-man force was geared, despite the name, primarily towards counterterrorism rather than special operations. Within the special forces were three primary units, the first being a CT element, the second a riot control unit, and the third a VIP protection unit. The makeup of Special Forces today is believed to be much the same although it has undergone a great deal more training than it did prior to the Gulf War due to greater acceptance for the need of such units amongst the Kuwaiti government. The revitalized Special Forces enjoy a close relationship with the special operations forces of many Western nations, especially the US Army's 5th Special Forces Group (SFG). Specifics of the current organization of the Special Forces are unknown, but prior to 1990, they had four assault teams, each 13 men strong, divided into 8 assaulters, 4 snipers, and a team leader and were headquartered on the outskirts of Kuwait City.

Special Forces Counterterrorist Unit