President Emomali Rahmon will attend celebrations dedicated to the 25th anniversary of anniversary of the formation of Tajikistan’s Armed Force, an official source at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) told Asia-Plus in an interview.
A solemn meeting and a festive concert will take place at the Kokhi Borbad State Complex in Dushanbe on February 23.
Besides, various contests, sports activities and meetings will be organized in MoD military units on the occasion of Tajik National Army Day, the source said.
A number of defense industry facilities and apartment buildings for officers will be put in commission on February 23.
Meanwhile, the Tajik authorities have reportedly decided to refrain from holding large celebrations until 2021 and will not hold a military parade on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the country’s national army this year.
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.
