Military exercises involving reservists at the Afghan border

In the border areas of the Khatlon region, the Ministry of Defense is conducting large-scale exercises aimed at checking the readiness of mobilization reserves, forces, and means of territorial defense.

This was reported by the press center of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan.

According to the agency, since last week, in the Khatlon region, in the Panj district, in the Kubodiyon area, and in the Dusti district, that is, in the border areas with Afghanistan, checks of the combat readiness of reserve forces have begun, with the aim of increasing the combat readiness of all territorial defense forces across the country.

It is noted that these activities are being conducted by order of President Emomali Rahmon to ensure the defense of the state, protect the state border, and generally strengthen the country’s defense capability.

According to the ministry, the Minister of Defense Emomali Sobirzoda participated in the exercises in the Panj district to motivate residents to take part in the protection of the state border.

According to the Ministry of Defense, men aged 18 to 55 participated in the exercises.

“The purpose of regularly organizing such exercises is not only to check the material and technical base and reserve forces but also to increase the level of combat readiness of units and territorial defense across the country,” the statement says.

The military exercises of reservists in the border areas with Afghanistan raise questions among civil society and social media users: why today and why specifically in these areas are military exercises being conducted?

Experts note that despite Tajikistan establishing trade and economic relations with the Taliban, President Emomali Rahmon still fears armed groups that are stationed near the Tajik-Afghan border in Afghanistan.

It is also possible that the visit of Tajik opposition figure Sharofiddin Gadoev to Afghanistan was a reason for conducting military exercises at the border with that country.