Birlestik-2024
Birlestik-2024 was a joint command and staff military exercise of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which took place in Kazakhstan between 9 and 17 July 2024.
The exercise took place in several phases and across two locations, the Oymasha training ground 30 km off the city of Aktau and a sea area two kilometers from Cape Tokmak in the Kazakh Bay, in the Karakiya District, Mangystau Region, as planned during a preparatory phase which had taken place earlier in July.
Phases
Tactical phase
The Kyrgyzstani ministry of defense had earlier presented a counterinsurgency scenario where joint forces had to liberate an island seized by "terrorists". After the liberation of the island, the scenario involved the enemy "armed group" retreating into an entrenched position on the mainland, requiring a final, coordinated assault by all participating contingents.Sports competition
After the completion of the simulation, a "tactical orienteering competition" named "Bagdar" was planned on 13 July 2025, as well as a tactical shooting contest and a military sports competition. On July 18th, the Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Defense announced that servicemen of the Scorpion 25th Special Forces Brigade had won the "Bagdar" competition, as well as the shooting contest, and took second place in mini-football, and third place in tug-of-war and weightlifting, taking first place in the overall team competition..Closing ceremony
The ceremony was attented by the ministers of defense of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, whereas Tajikistan was represented by the first Deputy Chief of the General Staff of its Armed Forces.According to Azerbaijani state media, representatives of 15 non-participating states attended the closing ceremony on 17 July 2025.