DUSHANBE, October 7, 2014, Asia-Plus — Russian forces based in Tajikistan are holding military drills near the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on October 6.
A spokesman for Russia”s Central Military District, Yaroslav Roshchupkin, says the maneuvers started on the Lohour training ground on October 6.
He said more than 1,000 servicemen and 300 pieces of military hardware from Russia”s 201st military base, which is located in Tajikistan, are practicing to ward off possible attacks by “international terrorists.”
Tajikistan shares a long border with Afghanistan, and Russian officials have voiced concern that the militant threat to Central Asia and Russia may increase after most Western troops leave by the end of this year.
The 201st base is Russia”s largest non-naval military facility outside the country, with some 6,000 servicemen stationed near the cities of Dushanbe, Qurghon Teppa, and Kulob.
