DUSHANBE, December 4, 2012, Asia-Plus — Tajik capital is making preparations for a military parade that will be held at the Dousti (Friendship) Square in Dushanbe on February 23, 2013 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan.
Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev has signed a decree permitting the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to conduct military parade training on the Hofiz Sherozi Street from December 3, 2012 to February 23, 2013 every day from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. In this connection, traffic along the Hofiz Sherozi Street will be restricted.
Faridoun Mahmadaliyev, a spokesman for Ministry of Defense (MoD), says more than 6,000 officers and soldiers of the Dushanbe Garrison will march on February 23, 2013. Veterans of war and parents of soldiers will also attend the parade.
Besides, various contests, sports activities and meetings are being organized in military units of the MoD on the occasion of Tajik National Army Day, the spokesman said.
Tajik National Army Day has been marked on February 23 since 1993.
Tajikistan”s National Army now consists of Air and Air Defense Forces, Land Forces and Mobile Forces. The Mobile Force of Tajik Army was founded in 2005 without increase in a total strength of the country’s armed forces. Air and Air-Defense Forces were also united in 2005. Tajikistan’s armed forces also include National Guard and Security Forces (internal and border troops).
Unlike the other former Soviet states of Central Asia, Tajikistan did not form armed forces based upon former Soviet units on its territory. Instead, the Russian Ministry of Defense took control of the Dushanbe-based 201st Motor Rifle Division; actually control simply shifted from the former district headquarters in Tashkent, which was in now-independent Uzbekistan, to Moscow.
