CSTO counter-terrorist drills kick off in Tajikistan

The drills of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) dubbed "Enduring Brotherhood 2019," which will last until October 29, has opened at the Kharb-Maidon range in Tajikistan.

According to Commander-in-Chief of the Central Military District Alexander Lapin, the drills have special character and is remarkable for joint actions of the military contingents of six states.

"Regarding the unstable situation in the world and the escalating situation in Afghanistan, the joint actions of the states participating in the drills show the intention of our countries’ administrations to provide regional security on a legal basis," TASS cited him as saying.

The drills consist of two stages. During the first stage, the rapid deployment force will carry out a counter-terrorist operation to destroy and block illegal armed groups. At the second stage, the CSTO peacekeeping force will carry out a peacekeeping operation to support peace in the Central Asian region of collective security.