Armenian Armed Forces Participate in CSTO Military Exercises

MINSK — Armenian Armed Forces are participating in the “Unbreakable Brotherhood 2016” joint peacekeeping exercises of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) taking place August 23-27 in Belarus.

More than 1,500 soldiers and 500 units of military equipment are involved in the joint exercise of contingents of six CSTO member states – Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Tajikistan – that includes preparation and implementation of maintaining peace in Collective Security region.

“The main objectives of the exercise are strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the peacekeeping forces of the CSTO member states, improving practical skills of the commanders and staffs at all levels in preparing a peacekeeping operation and command and control of forces and units during peacekeeping missions,” the Belarusian Defense Ministry said.

In addition, the provision of humanitarian assistance to the local population in a simulated conflict zone, as well as practice actions to destroy simulated illegal armed groups in their areas of responsibility.

According to the CSTO Secretariat, “for the first time the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces will get the UN Security Council mandate and will act in a crisis region in cooperation with the UN mission.” Representatives of the United Nations Secretariat and the International Committee of the Red Cross have been invited to the exercise.