Armenian government creates territorial defense forces to replace obsolete militia system

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 31, ARMENPRESS. The Cabinet has approved a bill on creating territorial (local) defense forces to replace the militia system with the purpose of supporting the Armenian Armed Forces in the event of an attack. 

The mission of the Territorial Defense Forces includes participation in guarding and defending the borders of Armenia, fulfilling individual combat objectives jointly with the Armenian Armed Forces units during repelling an attack against the country, participation in combating enemy sabotage, terrorist, reconnaissance or special forces actions, and supporting the protection of special facilities and the population.

The territorial defense forces will be under the command of the given administrative district’s military formation. 

The territorial defense forces will be formed on a voluntary basis. Members of the forces will be subject to military code of conduct and other responsibilities envisaged for all members of the armed forces.

The former militia system, which was supposed to be organized under local governments across the country, has been deemed ineffective because instead of the defined system the militia units are actually being formed by military commissariats. 

The new territorial defense forces will be coordinated by army corps and their formation will be carried out exclusively by the defense system.