A Close Protection Service for the Middle East
Intelligent Protection and its sister company International Intelligence Limited have been operating in the Middle East since 2003, gaining extensive experience in the region’s customs and cultures and a deep understanding of how things function locally.
We offer three types of Close Protection Bodyguard services across the Middle East to suit the environment, each suited to different scenarios: Hostile Environment Close Protection, Executive Protection, and Covert Close Protection.
In 2024, Intelligent Protection became a legal registered entity in Iraq, allowing us to provide Armed Security Services in both Iraq and Kurdistan.
To support our operations, we maintain our own intelligence cell, which provides real-time analysis, enabling us to feed this into our own Security Risk Assessments. Given how quickly situations can change on the ground, these tools ensure we can make swift, informed decisions. Our at-a-glance Travel Advisories further assist in this process. See Travel Advisories Middle East & Asia.
Cultural advice for visiting Islamic countries
If you have never visited an Islamic country, you may have some unanswered questions about the culture, what you can wear and general dos and don'ts. Intelligent Protection is highly experienced at working in Islamic countries and has done so for the past decade and more.
We have written a guide that will help you understand what is culturally acceptable, and we hope you find it useful. See our page: Guide to Islamic culture for travellers.
Middle Eastern countries we operate in
Hostile Environment Close Protection
We have operated in the Middle East since 2002, providing armed protection for clients in extremely hostile environments. Prior to Intelligent Protection International Limited being incorporated, we were operating in the region providing Close Protection under our sister company, International Intelligence Limited. It was during this period, that the company was involved in the rescue of a legal team in a Baghdad suburb one evening in 2003 (see our press article: Iraq lawyers rescued.
Due to the level of risk in some areas of the Middle East, our Close Protection operations need to be armed and use armoured vehicles with controlled and planned road moves, all requiring advanced logistical support.
Our Hostile Environment Close Protection services have been developed to cope with high-threat and complex environments, mitigating the risk to a more acceptable level.
Executive Close Protection Services
Our Executive Close Protection Services are suitable for business trips to most areas of the Middle East including Dubai. With experienced operatives, our aim is to ensure a safe and successful visit for our clients.
These services can, and often do, include in-country transportation; more people are killed in the Middle East by Road Traffic Collisions (RTC's), than by acts of Terrorism. According to a report in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine, in 2020, the United Arab Emirates had 10 deaths per day, in Egypt, this was around 70 deaths per day. Driving standards are very different and that is why we have our own people driving.
Covert Close Protection
Sometimes a more covert approach is required. Within certain business environments, sometimes “security” can be seen as very disrespectful and inappropriate. For example, when invited to turn up with a visible security team - it's not really the done thing.
We are able to provide our clients with a more tactful, Covert Protection, inserting operatives in and among your own party, for example, as a Personal Assistant.
Please do contact us to discuss how any of these services might work for you.
Intelligent Protection International Limited, provides free, in-depth Security Advisory Reports for each country - Travel Advisories for Asia, see: Asia Travel Advice.
As with our Close Protection Services in other areas of the world, our Bodyguard Services in the Middle East can be supported by other services, such as:
- Lisenced Close Protection
- Armed Bodyguards (in some locations)
- Residential Security
- Protective Surveillance
- Security Trained Drivers
- Personal Medical Officers
- Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM)
All of our Bodyguards across the Middle East are trained to very high standards, are trained in First Aid and are former military or police.
Armed Bodyguards in the Middle East
Clients who are interested in Armed Bodyguards and/or Armed Protection will need to make this clear to us from the outset. It is not possible to hire Armed Bodyguards in some the Middle Eastern countries and even in the countries that do allow armed Private Security, often this has to be arranged well in advance, even then is reviewed by Government departments on a case by case basis. So, in essence this is not an easy area!
Security across the Middle East
Terrorism remains a pervasive threat in the Middle East. Despite territorial losses, ISIS and Al-Qaeda continue to operate underground, carrying out attacks in Syria, Iraq, and beyond. The instability in Yemen and Libya has also provided fertile ground for extremist groups. Counterterrorism efforts by local governments, as well as international coalitions, remain essential to containing these threats.
Overall, the Middle East remains a region in flux, where fragile ceasefires, geopolitical competition, and internal unrest make security an ever-present concern.
While crime against Westerners is uncommon in some Middle Eastern countries, general security threats often stem from organized crime and gangs, some of which are linked to terrorist groups. To support our clients and private security operations, Intelligent Protection International Limited offers free risk reports. For the latest in Travel Advice reports, see: Middle East Travel Advisories
FAQs for Hiring Bodyguards in across the Middle East
Yes, Intelligent Protection has a vast network of female bodyguards from around the world. Often clients with young families like to have the peace of mind that a gentle, more covert approach is being taken to their children's security. This is a role that lends itself well to female operatives.
We can provide a wide range of vehicle to suit our tasks and have a number of local partners that we work with. However, it's not just about supplying vehicles, it's more about the right vehicle and driver for the task at hand, paired-with a security trained driver.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
All of our operatives are qualified to a minimum of First Person on Scene (International) (FPOSi) or First Response Emergency Care Level 3 (FREC3), British qualifications. They would also have received training during their Military or Police Service, many to a very high level.
All of our operatives carry first aid or trauma packs as standard, with larger packs in our operational vehicles.
English is widely spoken across many countries in the Middle East, however, if you require specific languages to be spoken, please inform us. All of our operatives in the Middle East speak English as standard as well as their native language. Many are multilingual, adding value to the service that we are able to offer.
Intelligent Protection is coved by Hiscox insurance for Employers Liability, Public Liability, Personal Indemnity and Directors and Officers Liability. Further to this, all our operatives are covered by travel Medical Insurance.
Our recent press coverage
An interview with Alex Bomberg about Prince Harry's Bodyguards
An interview with Alex Bomberg about Prince Harry's Bodyguards
Interview with Christian Hill about players home security during Euros
An interview with Christian Hill about fears homes may be targeted during Euro 2024
Interview with Alex Bomberg about gangs targeting luxury cars in UK
Interview with Alex Bomberg about gangs targeting luxury cars in UK
An interview with Alex Bomberg concerning client safety.
An interview with Alex Bomberg concerning client safety
Interview with Alex Bomberg in relation to violent pitch invasions.
Interview with Alex Bomberg in relation to violent pitch invasions
Alex Bomberg interviewed on celebrity home security issues.
Alex Bomberg interviewed on celebrity home security issues
Interview with Alex Bomberg after Amir Khan was robbed at gunpoint in London.
Interview with Alex Bomberg after Amir Khan was robbed at gunpoint in LondonDiscuss your Security and Protection requirements
Whatever and wherever your requirement, Intelligent Protection will be able to find a workable solution.
Contact usJoin us at Intelligent Protection
Intelligent Protection International Limited, is always interested in hearing from professional Bodyguards from around the world, who meet our employment criteria. We are especially interested in bilingual and trilingual Operatives with Royal or Executive Protection experience.
Join our team