{{Short description|Service branch of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

[[File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (34).jpg|thumb|Internal Troops during a military parade in Ashgabat, 2011.]]

The '''Internal Troops of Turkmenistan''' (Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň içerki goşunlary) 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 consists of between 20,000 and 25,000 personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://base.spinform.ru/show_doc.fwx?rgn=2422|title=Закон Туркменистана "О внутренних войсках Туркменистана"|website=base.spinform.ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qcqNAgAAQBAJ&dq=Internal+Troops+of+Turkmenistan&pg=PA77|title=The Military and the State in Central Asia: From Red Army to Independence|first=Erica|last=Marat|date=16 October 2009|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135256159|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wipolex.wipo.int/ru/text/409907|title=WIPOLex|website=wipolex.wipo.int}}</ref>

==Tasks== The main tasks of the Internal Troops since its establishment in January 1992<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BioqAQAAMAAJ&q=Internal+Troops+of+Turkmenistan|title=The new Eurasia: a guide to the republics of the former Soviet Union|first=David Thomas|last=Twining|date=6 May 1993|publisher=Praeger|isbn=9780275944315|via=Google Books}}</ref> have been:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parahat.info/law/2011-05-30-zakon-turkmenistana-ob-organah-vnutrennih-del-turkmenistana|title=2011-05-30 ● ЗАКОН ТУРКМЕНИСТАНА Об органах внутренних дел Туркменистана - Законы Туркменистана|website=www.parahat.info}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://asuda.gov.tm/pdf/tm/14.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj7tJiF3N32AhXplWoFHafjBhoQFnoECDgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1agQ1ZmayRcowGBd5RmRQh | title=Unknown}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024| fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

*Protect the rights and freedoms of citizens and ensure their personal security *Enforce the law and keep public order *Suppress and/or eradicate criminal offenses caused by high-profile criminals *Investigate high-profile crimes *Ensure road safety and compliance with road laws

==Military Unit 1001== The Military Unit 1001 named after Mälikguly Berdimuhamedow is one of the more notable units of the Internal Troops.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15876.html | title=Military unit in Turkmenistan named after father of President Berdymukhamedov | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309022354/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15876.html | archive-date=2016-03-09}}</ref> Located in Ashgabat, it is named in honour of Mälikguly Berdimuhamedowiç Berdimuhamedow (renamed by order of Assembly Chairman Akja Nurberdiýewa in 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.turkmeninform.com/ru/news/20120208/05285.html | title=Воинская часть №1001 отныне носит имя Мяликгулы Бердымухаммедова &#124; Экономика &#124; ИП "ТУРКМЕНинформ" }}</ref>), a former Colonel of Police in a prison guard detachment<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mir24.tv/news/society/4676332|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193218/http://mir24.tv/news/society/4676332|url-status=dead|title=Имя отца президента Туркменистана увековечили в названии воинской части|archivedate=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="theguardian cables">[https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/240618 US embassy cables: Turkmenistan president 'not a very bright guy'], ''Theguardian.com'', 2 December 2010</ref> and the father of the current President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. His old office was recreated at the barracks of the unit as well as museum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://interfax.az/view/532487/ru|title=Военная доктрина Туркмении носит исключительно оборонительный характер - глава республики|website=interfax.az}}</ref> In 2013, a life-time bust was installed on the territory of the complex of buildings of the military unit.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://turkmenportal.com/blog/3151 | title=Воины Туркменистана несут службу с чувством безграничной любви к Отечеству &#124; Культура | date=10 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/error/422|title=Ошибка 422|website=TASS}}</ref> According to a former serviceman in the unit, commanders have extorted money from soldiers, being forced to pay 400 manats for a characterization issued after the end of military service.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rus.azathabar.com/a/30012071.html | title=Бывший солдат о службе в воинской части имени Мяликгулы Бердымухамедова | date=21 June 2019 }}</ref>

==See also== *Armed Forces of Turkmenistan *National Guard

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Military of Turkmenistan Category:Law enforcement in Turkmenistan Category:Military units and formations established in 1992 Category:1992 establishments in Turkmenistan Category:Gendarmerie