DUSHANBE, February 18, 2015, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon will congratulate Tajik military on their professional holiday on February 22, an official source at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) told Asia-Plus in an interview.
“A ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of formation of Tajikistan’s Armed Forces will take place at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex and President Rahmon will deliver a statement at the meeting,” the source said.
According to him, the president will set new tasks on strengthening the country’s defense capacity and distinguished servicemen will be awarded.
A ceremony of placing wreaths at the Military Glory Memorial will take place in Dushanbe’s Victory Park on February 21, the source added.
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.
