News report

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, June 12, 2010


Ethnic Riots Set Kyrgyzstan Afire, Uzbeks Flee

Ethnic riots wracked southern Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, forcing thousands of Uzbeks to flee as their homes were torched by roving mobs of Kyrgyz men. The interim government begged Russia for troops to stop the violence, but the Kremlin offered only humanitarian assistance.

At least 75 people were reported killed and nearly 1,000 wounded in the violence spreading across the impoverished Central Asian nation that hosts both U.S. and Russian air bases.





Israel flotilla raid - reaction and fallout as it happened

• UN calls for inquiry into Israel's assault on Gaza flotilla
• Free Gaza Movement says it will send two more ships
• Erdogan warns Israel not to "test Turkey's patience"
• Egypt opens border crossing with Gaza
• Follow all the latest news here

Released activists have said Israeli commandos opened fire before boarding Gaza flotilla. Turkish activist Nilufer Cetin said Israeli troops opened fire before boarding the Turkish-flagged ferry Mavi Marmara, which was the scene of the worst clashes and all the fatalities. Israeli officials have said that the use of armed force began when its boarding party was attacked.