Uzbekistan Closes Border With Kyrgyzstan Ahead Of Independence Day

Uzbekistan has temporarily closed its border with Kyrgyzstan ahead of festivities marking the 25th anniversary of the country's independence.

The Kyrgyz Border Guard Service said in a statement that the border was closed as of August 22.

The Border Guard Service said Kyrgyz citizens who entered Uzbekistan before the border closure will be allowed to return.

It said foreigners and employees of diplomatic missions and international organizations will be allowed to cross the border.

It is not clear when the border will be reopened, the statement said.

Uzbekistan marks its independence day on September 1.

Relations between the two Central Asian neighbors has been tense since 2010 when ethnic clashes between local Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in southern Kyrgyzstan left hundreds, mainly Uzbeks, dead and thousands displaced.