12th Peacekeeping Brigade

12th Peacekeeping Brigade 12-րդ Խաղաղապահ բրիգադ File:Armenian soliders, Iraq-1.jpg A member of the brigade at Camp Victory in October 2008. July 2001–present Armenia Armed Forces of Armenia Peacekeeping duties Flag_of_Armenia.svg Ministry of Defense of Armenia Yerevan Blue Berets Peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Kazakhstan. Colonel Ruben Papyan Brigade Commander 200px Shoulder patch The 12th Peacekeeping Brigade (hy 12-րդ Խաղաղապահ բրիգադ) is a military unit of the Armed Forces of Armenia. Sometimes referred to as the Blue Berets due to its role (and its similarities to the Armenian Airborne Forceshttps://medium.com/dfrlab/the-straw-that-broke-sargsyans-back-afa5fb2602cc The Straw That Broke Sargsyan's Back? April 30, 2018 Medium), it solely specializes in peacekeeping in foreign countries as part of international initiatives. It is commanded by Colonel Ruben Papyan.Ռուբեն Պապյանը նշանակվել է Խաղաղապահ ուժերի բրիգադի հրամանատար, Համլետ Լևոնյանը՝ ՊՆ սպառազինության և տեխնիկական ապահովման... https://hetq.am/hy/article/174489#:~:text=%D5%8C%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A2%D5%A5%D5%B6%20%D5%8A%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A8%20%D5%B6%D5%B7%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%BE%D5%A5%D5%AC%20%D5%A7%20%D4%BD%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D5%B2%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B0,%D6%87%20%D5%BF%D5%A5%D5%AD%D5%B6%D5%AB%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6%20%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%B8%D5%BE%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B6%20%D5%BE%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B9%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6%20%D5%BA%D5%A5%D5%BF Hetq.am 4 July 2025 hy 21 May 2025 In early 2016, Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan said that he considers the brigade to be the "basis for the establishment of a professional army".https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/38155/ Seyran Ohanyan considers peacekeeping brigade as basis for establishment of professional army artsakhpress.am 2020-06-30 2022-01-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20220113162618/https://artsakhpress.am/eng/news/38155/ dead History In July 2001, a memorandum on Armenian peacekeeping was signed at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York, being the catalyst for the formation of a peacekeeping unit. Captain Artak Tonoyan was appointed the first commander of the battalion.https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1016786 Armenian peacekeepers professionally fulfill their tasks at missions abroad armenpress.am The battalion was subsequently reformed into a brigade. In February 2004, the first group of Armenian peacekeepers (consisting of 34 soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Artem Avdalyan) were deployed to Kosovo for six months.https://news.am/arm/news/302449.html Հայաստանի ԶՈՒ խաղաղապահ բրիգադ. Միջազգային գործունեության մասնակցության աշխարհագրություն ընդլայնվում է news.amhttps://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=42572&lang=2 Arminfo: Командир миротворческой бригады: Обострение ситуации в Косово не отразилось на деятельности армянского миротворческого контингента в этой стране arminfo.info 2020-06-23 2022-01-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20220110092914/https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=42572&lang=2 dead In March 2008, the brigade was relocated to the former base of the Capital Regiment.http://newsarmenia.am/news/politics/arm1-20080322-41846775/ Армянская миротворческая бригада будет размещена на территории Столичного полка newsarmenia.am In 2016, its personnel carried the flags of the United States, Germany, Italy, Poland and Greece while taking part in the Independence Day parade on Republic Square.2016-09-21 Armenia Showcases New Missiles in Independence Day Parade Armenian News By MassisPost en-US Armenian News By MassisPost https://massispost.com/2016/09/armenia-showcases-new-missiles-in-independence-day-parade/ 2017-04-29 In November 2017, the unit opened a peacekeeping training center (known as the Zar Peacekeeping Area) in Zar.https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1360676/armenia-us-celebrate-reopening-of-zar-peacekeeping-training-area/ Armenia, U.S. Celebrate Reopening of Zar Peacekeeping Training Area U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEhttps://ancawr.org/armenia-u-s-celebrate-reopening-of-zar-peacekeeping-training-area/ Armenia, U.S. Celebrate Reopening of Zar Peacekeeping Training Area November 2, 2017 June 23, 2020 March 7, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210307080316/https://ancawr.org/armenia-u-s-celebrate-reopening-of-zar-peacekeeping-training-area/ deadhttps://am.usembassy.gov/hy/armenian-military-medics-trained-u-s-peers-hy/ Հայ սանհրահանգիչները վերապատրաստվում են ամերիկացի գործընկերների կողմից August 28, 2015 Հայաստանում ԱՄՆ դեսպանատունը A women's platoon was established that same year as part of the cooperation program between the unit and the United Nations Population Fund.http://www.hayzinvor.am/en/69333.html?fdx_switcher=true Women Peacekeepers In 2022, the brigade helped quell unrest during the 2022 Kazakh Unrest. Participation in the Armenian Revolution 2018 Armenian Revolution In April 2018, it was reported that members of the brigade marched alongside antigovernmental forces in the 2018 Armenian revolution. The Armenian Defense Ministry condemned what it described as an illegal action, saying that "The harshest legal measures will be taken against the soldiers".Unarmed soldiers join anti-government protests in Armenia https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-politics-protests-army/unarmed-soldiers-join-anti-government-protests-in-armenia-idUSKBN1HU15U Reuters 23 April 2018 Eagle Partner 2023 Eagle Partner 2023 In 2023, starting in September 11 and ending in September 20, the Armenian 12th Peacekeeping Brigade and U.S. forces have held a joint military exercise, which focused on strengthening the alliance between the 2 nations, but the main goal was the preparation of the brigade for future peacekeeping operations. Eagle Partner 2024 Colonel Arsen Mangasaryan, commander of the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade said that Eagle Partner 2024 is likely to happen.Kansas Guard, Armenian Partner Complete Eagle Partner Exercise https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article-View/Article/3536453/kansas-guard-armenian-partner-complete-eagle-partner-exercise/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalguard.mil%2FNews%2FArticle-View%2FArticle%2F3536453%2Fkansas-guard-armenian-partner-complete-eagle-partner-exercise%2F 2023-10-07 National Guard en-US June 2026 InternetArchiveBot Deployments The 12th Peacekeeping Brigade has collaborated in several international peacekeeping missions with the West and CSTO. They deployed peacekeepers in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Kazakhstan.content MD RA - For Journalists https://www.mil.am/en/pages/37 2023-10-08 www.mil.am enUPDATED: Armenia to send military police peacekeepers to Syria https://armenpress.am/eng/news/971944 2023-10-08 armenpress.am en Kosovo thumb|Soldiers from the Kansas National Guard and Armenia practice a riot control exercise On February 12, 2004, Armenia deployed a contingent of 34 Armenian peacekeepers to Kosovo to carry out a peacekeeping mission as part of a Greek unit in the town of Ferizaj.Ռ/Կ «Ազատություն» 2009-04-02 Armenia Replaces Peace-Keepers In Kosovo hy «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան https://www.azatutyun.am/a/1574419.html 2023-10-08 The contingent was headquartered in Camp "REGAS FEREOS" as a part of the Multi-National Task Force East and was tasked with maintaining vehicle check points, providing security for the base but also served as a quick reaction force and crowd and riot control.KFOR Nations https://www.nato.int/KFOR/structur/nations/armenia.htm 2023-10-08 www.nato.int In 2008, 70 peacekeepers were sent to replace the contingent of 34 peacekeepers.Ռ/Կ «Ազատություն» 2009-04-02 Armenia Doubles Peacekeeping Force In Kosovo hy «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան https://www.azatutyun.am/a/1595711.html 2023-10-08 The peacekeepers left Kosovo in 2011 only to return in 2012, with its new garrison being stationed at a base of United States Army Europe.Ambassador of the Armenian forces https://regionalpost.org/articles/ambassador-of-the-armenian-forces.html 2023-10-08 Regional Post enthumb|A platoon sergeant with the Kansas National Guard, evaluating an Armenian soldier with the Engineering Company of the brigade. Iraq In January 2005, 45 peacekeepers, together with a Polish unit were deployed in Iraq as part of the Multi-National Force – Iraq. They mainly participated in demining, cargo transportation and medical support activities. On November 10, 2006, Senior Lieutenant Georgy Nalbandyan was injured in a mine explosion in Iraq but survived after being transported for surgery to a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, near Ramstein Air Base."Armenian peacekeeper to undergo two more surgeries https://web.archive.org/web/20070927210701/http://www.armradio.am/news/?part=soc&id=7705 2007-09-27." Public Radio of Armenia. November 20, 2006. Retrieved February 1, 2007. The contingent of 45 peacekeepers of the Armenian Armed Forces were withdrawn from Iraq in November 2009. Afghanistan In July 2009, the Defense Minister of Armenia, Seyran Ohanyan, announced that Armenia would send a force from the brigade to participate with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the War in Afghanistan by the end of the year. He did not mention how large the force would be but did note that it probably would include munitions experts and communications officers. A MOD spokesmen also stated that the force would include medical specialists and translators as well. Ohanyan added that Armenian officers who served in the Soviet military during the Soviet–Afghan War also expressed the desire to return there as members of the new force."Armenia to send forces to Afghanistan this year https://web.archive.org/web/20090801155017/http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2009-07-24-armenia-to-send-forces-to-afghanistan-this-year 2009-08-01." Armenian Reporter. July 24, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2009. In November 2009, a NATO official affirmed that an Armenian contingent numbering 30 troops will join the ISAF sometime in early 2010."Armenia To Send Troops To Afghanistan." RFE/RL. November 09, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2009. That number was revised to 40 in early December, when the Armenian parliament overwhelmingly voted in approval of the contingent's deployment. The servicemen arrived in Afghanistan in February 2010, where they carried out a mission jointly with the German Bundeswehr, being tasked to defend the regional airport in Kunduz."Armenian Parliament Endorses Troop Deployment To Afghanistan." RFE/RL. December 8, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2010. They also served in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. There were 126 servicemen in Afghanistan in 2012.International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The Military Balance 2012. London: Routledge, 2012, pp. 90–91. Lebanon The peacekeeping brigade of Armenia sent a platoon in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. In December 2014, a Lebanese peacekeeping mission started with the participation of an Armenian platoon consisting of 32 servicemen. Syria The brigade became the base of the Armenian contingent in Syria, a task force consisting of 83 medics, demining experts, force protection and other military personnel. This was the first independent foreign deployment of the Armenian military.https://armenpress.am/eng/news/971944 UPDATED: Armenia to send military police peacekeepers to Syria armenpress.amhttps://news.am/eng/news/515299.html Peacekeeping brigade chief: Every peacekeeper is Armenian ambassador abroad news.am thumb|Armenian peacekeepers in Iraq. Kazakhstan 2022 Kazakh protests 100 peacekeepers were deployed to Kazakhstan in the aftermath of the 2022 Kazakh protests, serving to protect water sources and a bread factory in Almaty.Ալմաթիում հայ խաղաղապահների հիմնական խնդիրներից էր կանխել ջրատարի թունավորումը https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31650459.html 2022-01-12 «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան 12 January 2022 hy Commanders Major General Arthur Simonyan (unknown – 12 October 2017) Colonel Vaghinak Sargsyan (12 October 2017 – 20 June 2018)https://www.1lurer.am/en/2017/10/12/Peacekeeping-brigade-to-have-new-commander/72977 Peacekeeping brigade to have new commander www.1lurer.am 12 October 2017 Major General Artak Tonoyan (20 June 2018 – 30 December 2021)https://rus.azatutyun.am/a/29306715.html Артак Тоноян назначен командиром миротворческой бригады Минобороны Армении 20 June 2018 Colonel Arsen Mangasaryan (30 December 2021 – 30 March 2024)2023-10-07 Armenia Peacekeeping Brigade has new commander https://news.am/eng/news/680144.html 2023-10-07 news.am en Colonel Hamlet Levonyan (30 March 2024 - 21 May 2025)2026-02-02 Мы перешли к концепции профессиональной армии и успешно завершим этот процесс: начальник Военной академии им. Вазгена Саргсяна https://armenpress.am/ru/article/1240884 2026-05-28 Armenpress ru Colonel Ruben Papyan (21 May 2025 - present) During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, it was reported by the Azerbaijani Army that Tonoyan was killed in action, although these reported were later deemed as false.Armenian general eliminated in Karabakh https://defence.az/en/news/147017/armenian-general-eliminated-in-karabakh%C2%A0?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=046f75b15fc2af1f8703fdff88841034402fe9e1-1613795172-0-AXbsbJxrwQOFHtpWuL4GSXc8o60WsKzrICNnMNZ_w52gLe0MRYSR3riS-U99PCM8CYOJROmbGg1Xy-GhhhMmZsvulWZJrGMuILBcy9l8AVJ3TcjKTFkAUAMmopefhoaSS0OPJ48DfLC6CX2k9lPotDgkFeO1v03HKvcDdUB8fWAorTvREhZ7vYMgLS7uT7DXwZHhrgr2GIxPBXBdSjpzREkU_OvSCBWq98gXj6rTHKDJ1BbDPto90lPTGd6hL5HinnLVIQaKmwC1IXUcgEyHL4Ib4Be_InXsw0szeOaQgdZhdgWKzow5eOX0fnr5w_29MuHFHfsk6_osO2cwROJ3LWDEJ3Upi7Is686iYI7RdmeBj-ev1DHdUaZwdbfs25_ujSXSNVqi8hLEtCJDqVP_elhTqe8kMahXEwzIz3mewjMi619LbHA2qHRbXS6j73Ij1w defence.az 15 October 2020 See also Azerbaijani peacekeeping forces KAZBAT 22nd Peacekeeping Battalion (Moldova) Polish–Ukrainian Peace Force Battalion References Category:Army units and formations of Armenia Category:Military units and formations established in 2001 Category:2001 establishments in Armenia Category:Peacekeeping