Special Section: Terrorist Attacks on AmericaCentral Asian Military BasesKenley Butler, Research Associate
Since the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, there has been speculation about the possibility of the United States using Soviet-era military bases in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as a staging ground for military strikes on targets in Afghanistan. As of this writing, Uzbekistan has formally allowed the United States to use one facility, most likely the Khanabad air base near Karshi, for search and rescue and humanitarian operations. Reports of U.S. military personnel and aircraft at other bases, including Tuzel and Chirchik in Uzbekistan, are unconfirmed. As events unfold, the United States and the nations of Central Asia may yet come to agreements that would allow U.S.-led forces to use other bases in the region. Given successful negotiations and significant investments of time and money to outfit former Soviet facilities with Western equipment, several airbases in the region could serve as a northern staging area for U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan. Former Central Asian Military District The Soviet-era Central Asian Military District was one of the most powerful in the Soviet armed forces due to the regions proximity to Afghanistan, China, and Iran. After 1991, most of the district's weapons and facilities were turned over to the new states of Central Asia.[1] Tajikistan Tajikistan shares a 750-mile (1,206-kilometer) border with Afghanistan. Part of the adjacent territory in Afghanistan is controlled by the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. These portions of the Tajik-Afghan border serve as the main supply route for arms to the Alliance. Military bases are located in the following areas of Tajikistan:
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In making a decision about hosting Western forces on its soil, Tajikistan has likely sought permission from Russia on the matter for two reasons: 1) Tajikistan is a signatory to the Commonwealth of Independent States Collective Security Treaty (the "Tashkent Treaty"); and 2) Tajikistan's southern border is defended by the 6,000-strong Russian 201st Motorized Rifle Division (MRD) and nearly 20,000 Russian-controlled border troops. Regiments from the 201st MRD are reportedly stationed at Dushanbe, Kulyab, and Kurgan-Tyube.[1] Turkmenistan Turkmenistan shares a 462-mile (744-km) border with Afghanistan. The Taliban controls Afghan territory adjacent to Turkmenistan. The following Turkmen military facilities are located near the Afghan border:
On September 15, Turkmenistan indicated its support for the formation of a permanent UN body for the fight against terrorism that would function under strict guidelines and with defined goals.[7] Turkmenistan's stated policy of "positive neutrality" will likely preclude it from allowing foreign troops to conduct military operations from its bases, though it has offered its facilities for shipments of humanitarian cargo.[8] Uzbekistan Uzbekistan shares an 85-mile (137-km) border with Afghanistan. The Taliban controls the Afghan territory adjacent to Uzbekistan. In their October 5, 2001 meeting in Tashkent, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Uzbek President Islam Karimov agreed on three areas of cooperation. First, Uzbekistan opened its airspace to U.S. military aircraft. Second, the two parties agreed to exchange intelligence. Third, Uzbekistan agreed to lend the United States one of its airfields for the use of cargo planes, helicopters, and personnel involved in search and rescue and humanitarian operations.[9] Uzbekistan served as the staging ground for the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and has many military facilities, including the following:
[1] Viktor Sokirko, "Yanki
akbar!" Moskovskiy komsomolets, September 18, 2001.
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