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Homes, Schools Destroyed After Worst Violence In Decades On Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

People inspected the charred remains of their homes, schools, and other buildings in villages on both sides of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border after deadly armed clashes along the frontier on April 28-29. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan completed the withdrawal of their military units from the border on May 3 as a cease-fire appeared to be holding.
A burned-out house in the Tajik village of Somoniyon in the Isfara district on May 2. The violence along the Tajik-Kyrgyz border followed a dispute over the installation of surveillance cameras at a water distribution point near Tajikistan's Vorukh exclave, drawing in security forces from both countries. 
1 A burned-out house in the Tajik village of Somoniyon in the Isfara district on May 2. The violence along the Tajik-Kyrgyz border followed a dispute over the installation of surveillance cameras at a water distribution point near Tajikistan's Vorukh exclave, drawing in security forces from both countries. 
A sign on the outskirts of the village of Maksat in the Leilek region of Kyrgyzstan on May 2. Kyrgyzstan is observing two days of official mourning for 34 people who died in Batken Province. Kyrgyz officials reported that another 178 were injured and 50,000 people were evacuated from the area.
2 A sign on the outskirts of the village of Maksat in the Leilek region of Kyrgyzstan on May 2. Kyrgyzstan is observing two days of official mourning for 34 people who died in Batken Province. Kyrgyz officials reported that another 178 were injured and 50,000 people were evacuated from the area.
The village of Somoniyon in the Isfara district of Tajikistan. Correspondents of RFE/RL's Tajik Service in the area reported that at least 16 Tajik nationals were killed and at least 90 were injured. Tajik authorities have yet to give an official casualty toll.
3 The village of Somoniyon in the Isfara district of Tajikistan. Correspondents of RFE/RL's Tajik Service in the area reported that at least 16 Tajik nationals were killed and at least 90 were injured. Tajik authorities have yet to give an official casualty toll.
A fire-damaged school in the village of Maksat in the Leilek district of Kyrgyzstan. In addition to the destruction of homes, Kyrgyz officials said two schools, one medical clinic, two border checkpoints, a kindergarten, 10 gasoline stations, a police building, and eight shops were destroyed in Kyrgyzstan's southwestern region of Batken.
4 A fire-damaged school in the village of Maksat in the Leilek district of Kyrgyzstan. In addition to the destruction of homes, Kyrgyz officials said two schools, one medical clinic, two border checkpoints, a kindergarten, 10 gasoline stations, a police building, and eight shops were destroyed in Kyrgyzstan's southwestern region of Batken.
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A local resident stands behind a burned car in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
6 A local resident stands behind a burned car in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
A woman stands in front of her destroyed home in the Kyrgyz village of Maksat. According to Bishkek, 78 private homes were destroyed in Kyrgyzstan's southwestern region of Batken.
7 A woman stands in front of her destroyed home in the Kyrgyz village of Maksat. According to Bishkek, 78 private homes were destroyed in Kyrgyzstan's southwestern region of Batken.
A gutted building in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
8 A gutted building in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
A man among the ruins of a building in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
9 A man among the ruins of a building in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
A burned-out building in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
10 A burned-out building in Somoniyon, Tajikistan.
Destruction in the village of Khojai A'lo, Tajikistan, on May 2
11 Destruction in the village of Khojai A'lo, Tajikistan, on May 2
The charred remains of a classroom in a school in the Kyrgyz village of Maksat.
12 The charred remains of a classroom in a school in the Kyrgyz village of Maksat.
More destruction in the village of Maksat in Kyrgyzstan's Batken region. 
13 More destruction in the village of Maksat in Kyrgyzstan's Batken region. 
The rubble from a burned house in the Kyrgyz village of Maksat.
14 The rubble from a burned house in the Kyrgyz village of Maksat.
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RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service is an award-winning, multimedia source of independent news and informed debate, covering major stories and underreported topics, including women, minority rights, high-level corruption, and religious radicalism.

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RFE/RL's Tajik Service

RFE/RL’s Tajik Service is a trusted source of local news, attracting audiences with compelling reporting on issues not otherwise covered by Tajikistan’s state-run media.

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