Colonel Ahmed Ghiyas is currently appointed as the Commander of MNDF Male’ Area.
COL Ghiyas enlisted in the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on March 13, 1989 and was commissioned upon graduation from the Sri Lankan Military Academy.
During his military career, COL Ghiyas has served in numerous instructional, staff and command appointments. Namely, as a platoon commander, company commander, Adjutant at Girifushi Training Center (GTC), Chief Instructor at GTC and Kadhdhoo Training Center, Chief of Operations and Student Affairs at the Defense Institute of Training and Education (DITE), Acting Commanding Officer of DITE, Commander of MNDF Special Forces and Principal Director to the Directorate of Operations and Training, J3/J7.
COL Ghiyas is a graduate of the prestigious National Defence University - USA, where he was awarded Master of Arts in Strategic Security with Concentration in Counter Terrorism and presently is a proud International Counter Terrorism Fellow. He has also completed Staff College at Defence Services Staff College in India, Captain Career Course, Advanced Special Operations Combating Terrorism Course, Countering Violent Extremism Course and Instructor Training Course in USA, Young Officers Course at Infantry School, Pakistan, Officers Physical Training and Instructor Training cum Supervisors Course in Pakistan. Additionally, he has done his Special Forces training at Commando School and Special Forces school in Sri Lanka.
COL Ghiyas is noted for his pivotal role in the establishment and development of MNDF Special Forces. As the first Commanding Officer, he led the unit through its formative years and its establishment as the premier unit of MNDF on par with the international counterparts.
In recognition of his dedicated service in the field of education and training, COL Ghiyas has been decorated with Defence Force Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Centenary Medal, Presidential Ribbon, Dedicated Service Ribbon, Achievement Ribbon, and Ribbon for Skill.
COL Ghiyas is married and is blessed with a daughter and two sons.