The autumn conscription campaign began in Tajikistan today.
The draft affects able-bodied male citizens in the age bracket of 18 years old to 27 years old, who are not members of the armed forces reserve.
The same decree provides for the retirement from active duty of soldiers and sergeants whose service under conscription is over.
According to the Ministry of Defense, every year, some 15,000-16,000 young Tajik men are drafted into the country’s armed forces. The two-month-long effort seeking to enlist young men aged 18-27 for the two-year compulsory military service takes place twice a year, in the spring and in the autumn.
According to official data, some 600,000 young men in Tajikistan are eligible for military service, but some 150,000 of them have received draft deferments or are exempted from the military service.
Young Tajiks can avoid or postpone military service if they are ill, studying at university, an only son, or if they have two children.
Meanwhile, some media reports say that cases were registered in the northern Sughd province when law enforcement authorities have urged parents, whose sons of draft age are outside of the country, to return their sons home for serving in the army.
At least three residents of Isfara told Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service that local authorities, concerned over fulfillment of the conscription campaign target, have detained and questioned parents of young men of draft age.
Tajikistan’s armed forces consist of Ground Forces, Mobile Forces (paratroopers of the armed forces of Tajikistan), Air Force and Air Defense Force.
