Russia, OSCE urged Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan to cease clashes on border

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Sep 2022 23:31

Clashes are reported to have begun due to an old water dispute between the two Central Asian countries and are now resurfacing after Tajik guards opened fire after being asked to relinquish "combat positions".

Russia calls on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan to cease clashes on border

The Russian Foreign Ministry urged on Wednesday Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to cease the conflict on their shared border and to move matters back to the political and diplomatic field.

"Taking into account the existing agreements between the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, we call on both sides to take all necessary measures to return the situation to the political and diplomatic field and jointly suppress any kind of provocations," the Ministry said in a statement,

Russia offered to mediate with both sides to find "a long-term solution" for this border issue.

A short while after, the Polish mission to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) reported that the organization issued calls for both countries to reimplement a ceasefire.

Following today's developments at the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, we call both sides to de-escalate, respect the ceasefire and resolve issues through peaceful means. We will continue to monitor the situation. @OSCE is ready to assist if requested.#OSCE2022POL
— Polish OSCE Chairmanship 2022 (@PLinOSCE) September 14, 2022

The ceasefire to which the OSCE is referring is one that was implemented in late January this year prior to which two Tajik citizens were killed and 10 were injured during overnight clashes at the contested border.

Earlier today, the ceasefire collapsed when a shootout broke out between both countries' patrol guards.

The provocation began when Tajik patrol guards were asked by Kyrgyz troops to relinquish "combat positions", Russian media reported.

The Kyrgyz border service issued that request because of the provocative combat positions that the Tajik side took up on the uncontrolled section of the border.

According to the Tajik border service, Kyrgyz guards fired four mortar rounds at 02:15 GMT and shelled the Tajik border guards’ positions without any reason, provoking retaliatory fire.

Two Kyrgyz border guards were injured and one Tajik border guard was killed and two more were injured in the exchange of fire.

The EU and the US have recently sought to meddle in Russia's foreign allies' affairs with the most recent offer the US has made by promising support for Armenia and Azerbaijan in solving their conflict.

The intent in doing so is to downplay Russia's influence over the Caucasus and its allies.

Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan participated in the Vostok-2022 drills.

It is noteworthy that four days ago, Tajikistan hosted the US and six Central and South Asian countries to partake in ten-day joint military drills.