Nationwide Volunteer Corps to be Established in Armenia

The Ministry of Defense has presented draft laws for public discussion that define the relations regarding the establishment and management of a volunteer corps in Yerevan, as well as the recruitment of volunteers. This was stated by Defense Ministry spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan on her Facebook page.

"The presentation of the draft law arises from the need to establish a universal and national character for the defense of the Republic of Armenia, and to provide an appropriate response to any potential aggressions from opposing forces through the voluntary principle of the organization and management of a volunteer corps," she wrote.

The draft is available on E-draft.am. It stipulates that the volunteer corps is a system for the participation of citizens on a voluntary basis in the armed defense of the Republic of Armenia during an armed attack, in the presence of an immediate threat, or in conditions of military operations.

The objectives of the volunteer corps are: 1) To provide a universal and national character to the defense of the Republic of Armenia; 2) To support the implementation of planned measures aimed at protecting the territory, population, and infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia from opposition sabotage, terrorist, reconnaissance, or special operations; 3) To assist in the deployment of the armed forces and other military units, as well as ensuring the operational implementation of local self-government bodies and economic facilities.

The application of the volunteer corps includes: 1) Participation in the armed defense of the vulnerable sections of the borders of the Republic of Armenia or contact lines with opposing forces; 2) Fighting against opposing forces engaged in sabotage, terrorist, reconnaissance, or special operations; 3) Participation in the armed defense of special and critically important facilities; 4) Participation in the armed protection of central routes for the mass movement of troops and populations; 5) Participation in civil protection processes.