Editing Djibouti Armed Forces (section)

===Djiboutian Army===
{{Main|Djiboutian Army}}
[[File:Guam national guardsmen train Djiboutian soldiers DVIDS80736.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Djiboutian army soldiers conduct a patrol on the border.]]

The [[Djiboutian Army|Djiboutian National Army]] (DNA) is the largest branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces. Just prior to independence in 1977, the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas established a national army to defend the Djiboutian's borders. The 6 June 1977 has since been marked as Armed Forces Day. After independence, the [[Front de Libération de la Côte des Somalis]] troops merged to form the 2,500 strong [[Djibouti National Army|Djiboutian National Army]].<ref>[http://www.lanation.dj/news/2007/ln76/national5.htm La Nation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Djibouti maintains a modest military force of approximately 20,470 troops; the army is made of 18,600 troops (IISS 2018). The latter are divided into several [[regiment]]s and [[battalion]]s garrisoned in various areas throughout the country.<ref name="Pdfad">{{cite web|title=Présentation des forces armées djiboutiennes|url=http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/defense-et-securite/cooperation-de-securite-et-de/revue-partenaires-securite-defense/archives-revue-freres-d-armes/les-anciens-numeros/freres-d-armes-253-dossier/dossier-republique-de-djibouti/article/presentation-des-forces-armees|publisher=Ministère des Affaires étrangères (France)|access-date=23 March 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Army has four military districts (the Tadjourah, Dikhil, Ali-Sabieh and Obock districts).<ref name=IISS_2012_432>{{cite journal|last=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)|title=The Military Balance 2012|journal=The Military Balance: Annual Estimates of the Nature and Size of the Military Forces of the Principal Powers |year=2012|publisher=IISS|location=London|page=432|issn=0459-7222}}</ref> Clashes with the [[Military of Eritrea]], in 2008, demonstrated the superior nature of the Djiboutian forces’ training and skills, but also highlighted the fact that the small military would be unable to counter the larger, if less well-equipped forces of its neighbours. The army has concentrated on mobility in its equipment purchases, suitable for patrol duties and counterattacks but ill-suited for armoured warfare. The [[Djiboutian–Eritrean border conflict|2008 border clashes]] at least temporarily swelled the ranks of the Djiboutian army, with retired personnel being recalled, but the military's size and capabilities are much reduced since the 1990s. The army to address more effectively its major defense disadvantage: [[Strategic depth|lack of strategic depth]]. Thus in the early 2000s it looked outward for a model of army organization that would best advance defensive capabilities by restructuring forces into smaller, more mobile units instead of traditional divisions. The official tasks of the armed forces include strengthening the country against external attack, and maintaining border security. Djiboutian troops continue to monitor its borders with [[Eritrea]], in the case of an attack. The Djiboutian Army is one of the small professional advanced armies in [[East Africa]].
{{Location map many | Djibouti
| width = 300
| float = right
| caption = {{center|'''Djiboutian Army Infantry Regiments'''}}
| label1 = <small>Ali Sabieh Infantry Regiment </small>
  | pos = right
  | bg = white
  | mark = Red pog.svg
  | lat_deg = 11 | lat_min = 09
  | lon_deg = 42 | lon_min = 43
| label2 = <small>Dikhil Infantry Regiment </small>
  | pos2 = left
  | bg2 = white
  | mark2 = Red pog.svg
  | lat2_deg = 11 | lat2_min = 06
  | lon2_deg = 42 | lon2_min = 22
| label3 = <small>Obock Infantry Regiment </small>
  | pos3 = left
  | bg3 = white
  | mark3 = Red pog.svg
  | lat3_deg = 11 | lat3_min = 58
  | lon3_deg = 43 | lon3_min = 17
| label4 = <small>Tadjoura Infantry Regiment </small>
  | pos4 = left
  | bg4 = white
  | mark4 = Red pog.svg
  | lat4_deg = 11 | lat4_min = 47
  | lon4_deg = 42 | lon4_min = 53
| label5 = <small>Djibouti City Rapid Reaction Regiment </small>
  | pos5 = right
  | bg5 = white
  | mark5 = Red pog.svg
  | lat5_deg = 11 | lat5_min = 35
  | lon5_deg = 43 | lon5_min = 08
| label6 = <small>One Demining Company</small>
  | pos6 = left
  | bg6 = white
  | mark6 = Red pog.svg
  | lat6_deg = 11 | lat6_min = 31
  | lon6_deg = 42 | lon6_min = 06
}}

Its maneuver units are:
*One armoured regiment (comprising a reconnaissance squadron, three armoured squadrons and an anti-smuggling squadron)<ref name=IISS_2012_432 />
*Four infantry regiments (each comprising three to four infantry companies and a support company)<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
**Regiment interarmées de Tadjourah
**Regiment interarmees de Obock
**Two other infantry regiments
*One rapid reaction regiment (comprising four infantry companies and a support company)<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One Republican Guard regiment<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One artillery regiment<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One demining company<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One signals regiment<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One computer and information systems section<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One logistics regiment<ref name=IISS_2012_432 /> 
*One maintenance company<ref name=IISS_2012_432 />

[[Italy]] delivered 10 howitzers M-109L (in 2013), tens IVECO trucks (ACM90, cranes, tankers, etc.), some IVECO armoured car Puma 4X4 and IVECO utility vehicles VM90.

In reforming the Djiboutian Army, most of the available financial resources have been directed to the development of the Land Forces. Over the years, Djiboutian Army has established partnerships with militaries in [[France]], [[Egypt]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Morocco]] and the [[United States]]. Currently, the amount allocated to defense represents the largest single entry in the country's budget.