The United Arab Emirates has issued a law requiring compulsory military service for adult males, formalising a proposal outlined earlier in the year to feed more of the US-allied Gulf federation's citizens into the armed forces.
The official state news agency WARM announced the move yesterday, saying the law "aims to instill values of loyalty and sacrifice in the hearts of the citizens."
The legislation requires male high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 30 to serve nine months. Those without a high school diploma must serve two years. Military service for female Emiratis will be voluntary.
Emirati citizens are vastly outnumbered by foreign guest workers in their own country. The country's leaders have taken steps to get more nationals into public and private-sector jobs, including the military.
