Border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan kills nearly 100 people

Clashes broke out on Wednesday between two Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. As per media reports, the fighting began at the border, leaving nearly 100 people dead before a ceasefire was called out on Friday. While the exact reason for the recent clashes remains unknown, both parties are blaming each other for the violent escalation.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are former states of the USSR, sharing a border of a thousand kilometers, or 600 miles. Almost a third of the border is disputed, which often results in skirmishes between the people of the two countries living near the border. However, recent clashes led to unprecedented fighting that resulted in almost twice the loss of human life compared to what happened in a similar clash last year.

Following the ceasefire, the Kyrgyz administration observed a national day of mourning on Monday for those killed in the recent fighting. Most shops and cafes in Batken remained closed on Saturday. Some minimarkets that were open only had soldiers as customers as the town wore a deserted look.


About 46 Kyrgyz citizens lost their lives, and at least 102 were injured during the recent clashes. Moreover, the Kyrgyz authorities evacuated over 137,000 citizens and shifted them to safer villages. Some of these have already started to return to their homes, as reported in Kyrgyz media.



At least 35 people have been confirmed dead, and dozens more have been injured. The Tajik administration also claimed that the Kyrgyz forces destroyed a mosque and civilian infrastructure in the border region. Tajik security officials also accused Kyrgyzstan of accumulating military forces and equipment near the border.

According to a BBC report, Russian President Vladimir Putin has appealed to both countries for de-escalation. The report further confirmed that Putin had a phone call with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, urging the two heads of these states to adopt peaceful and diplomatic means to resolve the dispute.

Reportedly, the security chiefs of the two countries met on Saturday to negotiate peace terms.

FAQs

When did the recent clash between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan break out?
Clashes between the two former Soviet Union states broke out on Wednesday, September 14.

When did the ceasefire happen?
Tajik and Kyrgyz forces agreed to ceasefire on Friday, while the security chiefs of the two countries met on Saturday to negotiate peace terms.