Anti-Terrorism Centre of Commonwealth of Independent States regional organisation carried out first ever military drills late May in Dushanbe, Lyaur and Harbmaidon; exercises held jointly by Russia and Tajikistan. Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu 8 June told Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Astana that due to security situation in Afghanistan, Russia will strengthen its bases in Tajikistan.

Amid mounting fears about worsening security situation in Afghanistan’s provinces bordering Tajikistan, Radio Free Europe 20 May reported ethnic Turkmens in Shordepe, Balkh, and Qala-e-Zal, Kunduz, are forming armed brigades to protect their villages from Taliban and Islamic State (ISIS) militants. Senior officials mid-month attended China’s high-level Belt and Road forum aimed at developing trade routes, specifically Silk Road Economic Belt initiative seeking to improve transport and energy infrastructure along two broad transport corridors in Central Asia.

Media mid-April reported former Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov, Tajik police commander who defected to Islamic State (ISIS) in 2015 and was reportedly their “minister of war”, killed in Mosul, Iraq; authorities early April arrested Khalimov’s eighteen-year-old son. Flights between Tashkent and Dushanbe resumed 11 April after 25-year gap. Tajik border guard reported Uzbek border guards 15 April illegally crossed border and shot Tajik man; Uzbek authorities claimed self-defence, saying Uzbek border guards were attacked by three Tajik shepherds. President Rahmon 25 April met with visiting U.S. Central Command commander, discussed military cooperation. Media reported ten top Anticorruption Agency investigators and officials arrested late month, suspected of corruption and fraud.

Late Feb report by International Center for Counter-terrorism stated Tajikistan source of greatest number of Islamic State (ISIS) suicide bombers by nationality: 27 Tajiks carried out suicide attacks on behalf of ISIS from Dec 2015 to Nov 2016. Supreme Court 15 March added two years to 23-year prison sentence of human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov for allegedly insulting govt official; Yorov, who had previously defended members of banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, was sentenced Oct 2016 for issuing public calls for overthrow of govt and inciting unrest. Tajik forces conducted separate joint exercises with U.S. and Russian troops late month.

Interior Minister Ramazon Rakhimzoda 20 Jan said 36 terrorist attacks were prevented in Tajikistan in 2016; also said there are some 10,000-15,000 militants gathered along Tajik-Afghan border – higher than estimates from other analysts. Anti-corruption agency 27 Jan launched investigation into former Dushanbe mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, accused of embezzling state funds; investigation reportedly opened at request of current mayor Rustam Emomali, son of President Rahmon, following complaints from city residents. Russian President Putin 27 Feb agreed with President Rahmon to jointly bolster Tajik-Afghan border security.

President Rahmon 12 Jan replaced longstanding mayor of capital Dushanbe, appointing his 29-year-old eldest son Rustam Rahmon; move raised further concerns among observers over consolidation of power in hands of president’s family and possible alienation of former political allies.

Foreign Ministry 8 Dec used Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) meeting to initiate joint statement calling participation of opposition activists at OSCE meetings unacceptable; followed Sept participation of activists from Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) in OSCE’s annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting. CSTO meeting late Dec discussed giving Tajikistan more assistance in securing its border with Afghanistan. Russian ambassador said Surria wants to expand its air force in Tajikistan. Govt 5 Dec restored accreditation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists which had been revoked late Nov.

Construction of controversial Rogun hydroelectric power plant, strongly opposed by Uzbekistan over fears of water shortages, began 31 Oct with President Rahmon personally opening site; completion scheduled 2029. Law went into effect 8 Nov criminalising insult or slander of President Rahmon, punishable with fines or up to five years’ prison. Came days after independent newspaper Nigoh suspended operations due to “lack of appropriate conditions”. Govt late month revoked accreditation of six Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists, reportedly over story about president Rahmon’s daughter being appointed to senior govt position.

Tajik delegation 20 Sept walked out of annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw in protest at participation of activists from Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) demanding release of imprisoned IRPT members; Human Rights Watch reported “violent acts of retaliation” against activists’ relatives in Tajikistan. Joint anti-terror drills with China started 20 Oct near Afghan border. President Rahmon 29 Oct launched construction of Rogun hydroelectric dam.

U.S.-trained former head of Tajikistan’s Special Assignment Police Force (OMON) Gulmurod Khalimov, who defected to Islamic State (IS) in 2015, reportedly promoted to IS’s minister of war responsible for militant training and combat.