Turkmen Internal Troops

File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (34).jpg

Internal Troops during a military parade in Ashgabat, 2011.

The Internal Troops of Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň içeri işler edaralarynyň işgärlerine) is a service branch of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is one of three types of paramilitary forces in the country, with the other two being the Turkmen National Guard and the Turkmen Border Troops. It is designed to maintain law and order and enforce the status quo in terms of state sovereignty. It aides the Turkmen National Police in everyday activities, similarly to the Military Police Corps in the United States Army. In an operational view, the internal troops are organized similarly to the Turkmen Ground Forces, both consisting of sub-units. The Internal Troops is comprised of between 20,000 to 25,000 personnel.

Tasks

The main tasks of the Internal Troops since its establishment in January 1992 have been:

• Protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and ensure their personal security
• Enfroce the law and keep public order
• Suppress and/or eradicate criminal offenses caused by high profile criminals
• Investigate high-profie crimes
• Ensure road safety and compliance with road laws
• Provide supervision for people who are under treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction

See also

• Armed Forces of Turkmenistan
• National Guard