Significant leadership changes have taken place within Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SSS). Lieutenant General Abdusalom Azizov, who served as the chairman of the SSS since February 2019, has been officially relieved of his duties. This development has been reported by several prominent Uzbek media outlets, including Gazeta.uz and Kun.uz.
Azizov had an extensive background in national defense, having led the Ministry of Defense before his SSS tenure. He assumed the role of Minister of Defense in September 2017, serving in that capacity until his appointment as SSS chairman.
The position of SSS chairman has now been handed over to Bahodir Kurbanov.
Kurbanov, a seasoned leader in Uzbekistan’s defense sector, had served as the Minister of Defense since February 11, 2019, prior to taking on his new role.
This change in leadership is seen as part of Uzbekistan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and realign its national security framework.