No Foreign Troops Stationed for Military Purposes, Says MNDF

High-ranking officials from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), yesterday, have addressed concerns and allegations regarding the presence of foreign military forces in the country, assuring that no foreign troops are stationed in the Maldives for military purposes.

The opposition coalition, consisting of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC), has been running an “India Out” campaign, claiming that a significant number of Indian troops are deployed in the Maldives to maintain aircraft donated by India. 

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Furthermore, the opposition alleges that Indian troops have a presence in some Maldivian military bases, asserting that the Maldivian armed forces have limited authority in these locations.

Vice Chief of Defense Force Maj. Gen. Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, in a series of interviews with state media, clarified that the foreigners present in the Maldives are primarily Dornier pilots, doctors, and technicians, emphasising that their roles do not entail military activities.

Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahim Abdul Latheef further stated that no foreign military from any country is allowed to play a military role in Maldives.

Additionally, Major General Waais Waheed assured the public that there are training centers dispersed throughout the Maldives to train the local army, and foreign military personnel are not stationed at any of these facilities. He reiterated the stance that there are no foreign military forces present in the Maldives for combat purposes.