Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan Conflict

[Husky_Khan]

A spat between Border Forces of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has drifted into a second day of skirmishes between both sides which has escalated up to the alledged use of artillery fire.

The clash on Wednesday, which took place on the eve of a regional security body meeting and against the background of fighting between Russia and Ukraine as well as Azerbaijan and Armenia, started after Kyrgyz border guards accused the Tajiks of taking positions at a part of the border that has not been demarcated.

The Tajik side said in a statement that Kyrgyz border guards opened unprovoked gun and mortar fire on their outpost, killing one border guard and injuring another two, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

At least one soldier from Tajikistan has reportedly been killed and several more wounded in these clashes.

Clash erupts between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan border guards

The clash comes against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war and fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

www.aljazeera.com

About a third of the six hundred mile long border between the two countries is disputed. Ironically representatives from both countries should be attending the current SCO Conference which is meant to foster cooperation in the region between the almost a dozen or so countries in attendance.

These clashes aren't uncommon however. This year alone clashes in January and June have resulted in deaths and three days of skirmishes in the Spring of last year resulted in over fifty deaths, almost all civilian.

Both countries are also members of the CSTO.

 

[Husky_Khan]

Apparently a cease fire has been reached between both sides. But this is after the fighting spread and intensified for several hours including the use of heavy weapons. At least three dead and twenty seven wounded reported so far.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-09-16/kyrgyzstan-and-tajikistan-agree-to-border-conflict-ceasefire-tass

 

[Husky_Khan]

Aaaaaaaand it's back on like Donkey Kong.



Tajikistan Striking Kyrgyz Targets, Maybe hit Some Civilian Ones by Accident. Oh well. Love the dude grinning as he scrambles off. We're still in the fun phase of the conflict.



Kyrgyzstan threatens general mobilization!



An allegedly destroyed Tajik T-72 Tank. And evacuations of tens of thousands of civilians to begin just like during the skirmishes last year.



Video of Fighting Hours Prior, Before the Current Cease Fire That Already Was Broken.

 

[WolfBear]

This would make Tajik entry into the Eurasian Economic Union even more difficult, no doubt.

It's also probably not prudent for Tajikistan to pick a fight with Kyrgyzstan:

 

[Husky_Khan]

Tajikistan is also facing threats and border issues with the Taliban (and Islamic State) on its Afghan border as well. There's a lot of antipathy from both sides and there have been skirmishes, as reported in this forum, between the two nations as well.

HOWEVER it is also important to note that Tajikistan got Bronze (in the 2nd Division) in the Tank Biathlon last month. However Kyrgyzstan came in 9th (just beating out Venezuela)... but technically a higher rank because they were apparently competent enough to be in the Top Division, not the Special Needs Second Division.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_biathlon#9th_Tank_Biathlon_World_Championship,_2022

 

[Husky_Khan]

After a cease fire failed to take effect earlier, fighting today has apparently died down on Sunday with few reports of exchanges.

Reportedly over eighty people have been killed in this series of skirmishes, which has escalated well past the border incidents last April that sparked between the two countries. Both sides have claimed women and children and civilians in general have been killed by enemy fires with Tajikistan also claiming Kyrgyzstan struck a mosque, killing twelve and a school, injuring six.

More than 80 dead in Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border clashes

At least 81 people were killed in clashes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan this week, in the worst violence the countries have seen in years, while the international community called for calm.

www.gmanetwork.com

Apparently Kyrgyzstan has Bayraktar Drones as well though.



Meanwhile there was a line of ambulances lined up outside the main hospital in Kyrgyzstan's Capitol of Bishkek yesterday as well.



It's important to keep in mind, most of the media regarding the war is coming from Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan apparently isn't quite as hip so much of the media surrounding the conflict would thusly be 'Kyrgyz' focused.