President Emomali Rahmon will congratulate military servicemen on their professional holiday tomorrow.  A ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 26th anniversary of the formation of Tajikistan’s Armed Forces will take place at the Kokhi Borbad State Complex in Dushanbe on February 23.   

“During his meeting with servicemen, the head of state is expected to analyze the periods of making up of the national army of Tajikistan and set new tasks,” an official source at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) told Asia-Plus in an interview. 

Meanwhile, wreaths were laid today at the Military Glory Monument in Victory Park in Dushanbe on behalf of President Emomali Rahmon and defense Minister Sherali Mirzo. 

Besides, a ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 26th anniversary of Tajikistan’s national army will take place at the Defense Ministry today.  

On the occasion of servicemen’s professional holiday, cultural events will be organized in all Dushanbe’s districts. 

Various contests, sports activities and meetings will be organized in the Defense Ministry military units on the occasion of Tajik National Army Day.

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.