Osh, Kyrgyzstan (AHN) - The deadly clash between ethnic rioters and security forces in southern Kyrgyzstan has killed at least 80 people. According to health officials in the country seven more people succumbed to their injuries overnight.
Authorities say clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks boiled over into violent conflicts with security forces which have left more than 1,000 had been injured. Over the last few days ethic violence has swept the area.
The violence appears to be spreading from beyond the city of Osh to several other towns in the southern region of the country. News reports from the area say gunfire has been reported and numerous buildings and cars have been torched. Stores and other marketplaces have been subjected to looting.
Kyrgyzstan's interim government passed a decree Saturday declaring a partial mobilization of the civilian reservists and have given police and the troops an order to shoot to kill to control the riots.
The government has been forced to impose a round-the-clock curfew in Osh and the nearby Kara-Suu and Aravan districts. With businesses remaining shuttered the humanitarian situation in southern Kyrgyzstan has worsened as a result of shortages of food and medical supplies.
