BISHKEK (24.kg news agency) – Uzbekistan will pay $150,000 to victims of the Sokh conflict in Batken province. Kyrgyz Interior Ministry spokesman Nurjigit Kadyrbekov confirmed the Uzbek payouts. Money is being transferred on Kyrgyz-Uzbek border near Charbak village.

(Photo: courtesy of RFE/RL/Jenguish Aidarov)

A brief hostage situation coincided with last week’s security incidents. Nearly 40 Kyrgyz citizens were taken hostage, but all were released the following day. A state of emergency had been declared in villages near the Sokh enclave in Kyrgyzstan following clashes.

The current crisis is caused by recent border conflicts. Uzbek forces had blocked access to the region. Uzbek authorities blamed Kyrgyz border guards for escalating the crisis, arguing they fired on residents protesting the installation of electricity towers. The Sokh district is surrounded by the southern Kyrgyz province of Batken. The region has been a source of tension between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz governments for more than a decade.

Security officials, however, said the situation becomes relatively stable. Kyrgyz media reported Uzbekistan has paid a total of $29,600 to seven Kyrgyz citizens whose vehicles were destroyed.