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Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agree on full ceasefire on the border

Nations will live as always in friendship and mutual understanding, and stability will be ensured, Head of Tajikistan’s State Committees for National SecuritySaymumin Yatimov said

© Nozim Kalandarov/TASS

BISHKEK, May 1. /TASS/. Heads of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan’s State Committees for National Security Kamchybek Tashiyev and Saymumin Yatimov reached an agreement on a full ceasefire on the border between the two states, Kyrgyzstan’s AKI-press reported citing Tashiyev.

"Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed on a full ceasefire and the pullout of forces," Tashiyev said after talks in the Batkensky region in Kyrgyzstan.

"Today, when we were discussing issues, a principal agreement was reached on <...> ensuring peace and stability on Kyrgyz and Tajik soil. I’m sure that we will be able to do this. In the near future we will iron out all problems and our nations will live as always in friendship and mutual understanding, and stability will be ensured," Yatimov said.

The situation on the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan near the Golovnoy water intake facility escalated on April 28, after clashes had sparked between residents of the two countries’ border areas. On April 29, armed skirmishes between Kyrgyz and Tajik servicemen broke out. Kyrgyzstan accused Tajikistan of using mortars, machine guns and Mi-24 military helicopters. On the evening of April 29, the sides agreed to a ceasefire and the pullout of troops.

According to Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry, 33 Kyrgyz citizens were killed and more than 160 others were injured in the conflict on the border with Tajikistan. The bulk of casualties are civilians. During the clashes in the republic several dozen buildings were burnt down or destroyed, including a school, a border outpost and a firefighting unit. Nearly 27,000 civilians have been evacuated from the zone of clashes.

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