General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were regions in the Soviet Socialist Republic before both countries became independent in 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved. Under Soviet Union the regions were delimitation in a way which resulted in enclaves. The border areas between the two countries especially near the enclaves have been disputed. Numerous of negotiations and efforts to demarcate the border have been made after year 2000 when 2000, when the Intergovernmental Commission on Border Delimitation and Demarcation was established. In 2013 it was reported that there were still 36 Tajik objects such as road constructions and natural resources deposits in the territory of Kyrgyzstan and 20 Kyrgyz objects in Tajik territory that had not been resolved. These objects and border areas near the enclaves have been the main conflict issues brought up by the countries.
Territory: Common Border
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 2014-01-11
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were regions in the Soviet Socialist Republic before both countries became independent in 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved. Under Soviet Union the regions were delimitation in a way which resulted in enclaves. The border areas between the two countries especially near the enclaves have been disputed. Numerous of negotiations and efforts to demarcate the border have been made after year 2000, when the Intergovernmental Commission on Border Delimitation and Demarcation was established. In 2013 it was reported that there were still 36 Tajik infrastructural objects such as road constructions and natural resources deposits in the territory of Kyrgyzstan and 20 Kyrgyz objects in Tajik territory that had not been resolved. These objects has often been at the forefront of clashes and border skirmishes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
11 January 2014 was the first recorded time that the armies shot at each other. That regarded a road-construction on land which both countries claimed was on their side of the border, and the event showed that they were prepared to use force to change the control of the territory.
Date of first use of armed force: 2014-01-11
Comment on first use of armed force: A clash took place between border guards of the two countries near Khoja-i Alo on the Ak-Sai – Tamdyk - Kishemish bypass road. Kyrgyz border guards were protecting Kyrgyz people who tried to resume construction of the road through the disputed territory. Tajik border guards arrived and tried to stop the construction work. In response the Kyrgyz border guards opened fire from automatic weapons and two Tajik border guards were wounded, three border guards of Kyrgyzstan were injured in the same shoot-out.
Date of first battle related death: 2014-07-10
Comment on first battle related death: Tajik and Kyrgyz border guards exchanged fire on 10 July 2014, killing a Tajik civilian. The incident occurred in the Bedak area, where Tajiks were building a water supply system. Kyrgyz border guards demanded to stop the construction, since demarcation and delimitation had not been carried out in the area.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 2021-05-01
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: At the end of April 2021 the armies clashed again. This time clashes started over a water distribution system but later spread to other border areas. On 1 May 2021 the clashes and mortar fire had reached 25 fatalities.
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
2002
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2012
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2013
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2014
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3 |
| Best | 3 |
| Low | 3 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2015
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2016
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4 |
| Best | 4 |
| Low | 4 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2021
Primary Parties: Government of Kyrgyzstan - Government of Tajikistan
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 56 |
| Best | 56 |
| Low | 56 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Joint statement of the Governmental delegations of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic on the delimitation and demarcation of the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2021-05-02
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
The Government of Kyrgyzstan and the Goverment of Tajikistan signed the Joint statement of the Governmental delegations of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic on the delimitation and demarcation of the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border on 2 May 2021 in Batken. During the same meeting the sides agreed, by 2 May 2021, to completely withdraw military units and military equipment from the entire line of the Kyrgyz-Tajik State Border to their places of permanent deployment but this issue was not part of the signed agreement.
The sides agreed to describe the project line of the state border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan in the sections from border point No. 43 to border point No. 61 and from border point No. 135 to border point No. 141 to use documents and materials of the national-territorial demarcation of 1924-1927 and the 1989 parity commission.
The sides instructed the topographic working groups to describe the project line of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border in the above sections from 5 to 9 May 2021.
At the same time, in the settlements of Maksat, Kulundu, Leilek region, Kok-Tash, Kok-Terek, Ak-Sai of Batken Oblast of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as in the areas of Ovchi Kalach Babajan, Gafurov region, Chorkuh, Somoniyon, Khojai Alo region, Isfara city of the Republic of Tajikistan, the working groups of the parties, until May 17, 2021, will begin to carry out topographic works and describe the project line of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border.
The sides agreed that until the process of delimitation, demarcation and legal registration of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border is completed, for the purpose of the unhindered movement of citizens, the passage of vehicles and goods of the Republic of Tajikistan, will jointly build and the Tajik side will use and maintain the Khojai Alo-Vorukh road bypass on the eastern side of the settlement of Kapchigai (Tangi). The status of this road will be determined by a separate state agreement between the two countries.
The sides came to an agreement on the construction of the specified road and instructed the topographic working groups, together with design organizations, to carry out a field survey of this site on the lands of actual use of Batken region by June 1, 2021.
The sides agreed upon completion of the construction of the Khojai Alo - Vorukh highway bypassing the eastern side of the Kapchigai (Tangi) settlement to proceed with the design description of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border line at the Vorukh section.
The sides, referring to the ancient history of the fraternal peoples, firmly declared their readiness, in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual trust, to resolve among themselves all existing border issues.
The sides agreed that the next Joint Meeting will take place on the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Signatories: Republic of Tajikistan Yatimov S.S.
of the Kyrgyz Republic Tashiev K.K.
Comment of signatories: The heads of government delegations of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border — Chairmen of the State Committee for National Security of their countries Kamchybek Tashiev and Saimumin Yatimov signed a joint statement in Batken city, Batken region of Kyrgyzstan.
Full-text peace agreement
2022
Primary Parties: Government of Kyrgyzstan - Government of Tajikistan
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 159 |
| Best | 150 |
| Low | 134 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Protocol 42 on the settlement of the situation on the border
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2022-09-25
Comment of peace agreement: The meeting of the Chairmen of the State National Security Committees of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, governors of Batken and Sughd regions, heads of Border Guard Services was held at Kyzyl-Bel border crossing point on 25 September 2022.
The sides have signed the protocol on stabilization of the situation in border areas of the two countries known as Protocol 42.
The two states agreed to remove and not set up any kinds of border posts in areas of Tamdyk outpost (KR) and Bedak outpost (RT), Bulak-Bashi post (KR) and Kekh post (RT), Katta-Tuz (KR) and Karakchikum (RT), Ak-Sai post (KR) in Chaikhana area and Sharshara (RT) in Khojai-Alo area. They also agreed to pause development of the land, construction, demolition and transfer of communications until completion of the process of delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.
Signatories: The heads of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan, Saimumin Yatimov, and Kyrgyzstan, Kamchybek Tashiev
Full-text peace agreement
2023
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2024
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Partial agreement on demarcation after meeting 30 January - 5 February 2024
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2024-02-05
Comment of peace agreement: The topographic working groups and working groups for delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border met in Batken from 30 January to 5 February 2024. at the end of the meeting a protocol was signed were the topographic working groups agreed on 3.71 km of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.
Name of peace agreement: Partial agreement on demarcation after meeting 11-18 February 2024
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2024-02-18
Comment of peace agreement: The topographic working groups and working groups for delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border met in Buston, Sughd region of Tajikistan on 11-18 February 2024.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed on the delineation of 1.11 kilometers of the shared border.
Name of peace agreement: Partial agreement on demarcation after meeting 12-17 March 2024
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2024-03-17
Comment of peace agreement: The topographic working groups and working groups for delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border met in Buston, Sughd region of Tajikistan on 12-17 March 2024.
The topographic working groups agreed on 10.76 km of the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border. The meeting ended with signing a corresponding protocol.
Name of peace agreement: Partial agreement on demarcation after meeting 24-29 March 2024
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2024-03-29
Comment of peace agreement: The topographic working groups and working groups for delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border met in Batken, Kyrgyzstan, between March 24 and 29, 2024.
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan agreed on the delineation of 28.37 kilometers of the shared border.
2025
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Interstate
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Delimitation of the borders
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2025-02-21
Signatories: The head of the State National Security Committee (SNSC) of Kyrgyzstan Kamchybek Tashiev and his Tajik counterpart Saimumin Yatimov
Name of peace agreement: Treaty on the State Border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2025-03-13
Signatories: Emomali Rahmon – President of Tajikistan
Sadyr Japarov – President of Kyrgyzstan
Name of peace agreement: Khujand Declaration of Eternal Friendship
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2025-03-31
Comment of signatories: Emomali Rahmon – President of Tajikistan
Sadyr Japarov – President of Kyrgyzstan
Shavkat Mirziyoyev – President of Uzbekistan
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
2002 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2012 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2013 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2014 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2016 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2019 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2021 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In April fighting began over the Golovnoi water intake facility which splits the river – known as Ak-Suu by the Kyrgyz and Isfara by the Tajiks – into two. The governments of the two countries tell slightly different stories about Golovnoi. According to the Kyrgyz side the facility was completed in 1973 at the expense of the Kyrgyz SSR, they also maintained the facility which legitimated their claims over the facility and the territory on which it stands. According to Tajikistan the Golovnoi had not undergone any repair for the past 12 years. They argued that the two countries should agree on and repair it jointly. In order to control that the Kyrgyz side did not start any work that had not been agreed upon the Tadjiks began installing surveillance cameras. These cameras were the immediate reason for the April 2021 clashes.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: A ceasefire was signed on 29 April 2021, the ceasefire was soon broken but national security chiefs from the two countries agreed to reinforce the ceasefire 1 May. Negotiations were held between the chiefs of the security agencies of Tajikistan (Saymumin Yatimov) and Kyrgyzstan (Kamchybek Tashiyev) on 1-2 May. The delegations signed a protocol on ceasefire and withdrawal of troops on 2 May. The parties reportedly also agreed to intensify work on further description of grade line of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border in the remaining disputed areas.
The Kyrgyz-Tajik working group on border issues resumed work after the April clashes. In July the group announced the demarcation of an additional 48 km of the border. In August The plenipotentiary of the president in the Batken region, Abdikarim Alimbayev, and the head of the Sughd region, Rajabboy Ahmadzoda, held talks and agreed to conduct joint training of border guards and police officers, exchange documents on investigated cases and conduct explanatory work among residents of border areas. The Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and his Kyrgyz counterpart Ruslan Kazakbayev have discussed border delimitation and demarcation issues in November during the European Union-Central Asia forum in Dushanbe.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Ceasefire
Date of termination: 2021-05-01
Comment on Termination: On 1 May 2021 the national security chiefs from the two countries agreed to reinforce the ceasefire, that had been broken, after this no incidents of shooting was registered. On 2 May, the delegations of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a joint protocol on the delimitation and demarcation of the border.
2022 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2022, the conflict was further intensified, with fatalities more than double compared to the year before. Following only a few sporadic clashes during the first half of the year, violence broke out between border guards near the Isfara river on September 14, which led to four days of fighting between the government of Kyrgyzstan and the government of Tajikistan. Only between September 14 and September 17, almost 150 people were killed on both sides, before a ceasefire was reached.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The parties had negotiations regarding ceasefires, followed by negotiated demilitarization efforts and talks about the conflict issues, mainly border demarcation and resource allocation.
Third party involvement: NO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) have offered to assist in talks, and urged for a peaceful resolution. However, formal involvement in the negotiations has not been recorded.
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Other Agreement
Date of termination: 2022-09-17
Comment on Termination: After ceasefires were brokered and broken on September 16, the heads of the Border Guard Services in the two countries met by a border post near the Syr Darya river in the early morning of September 17 as well as 9 pm the same day. The parties agreed on a ceasefire, de-escalation, future dialogue and a temporary joint operational task force with the respective security- and law enforcement bodies by the border checkpoint.
2023 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2024 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Following the ceasefire reached between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in September 2022, the countries have continued to discuss border demarcation and prevention of resumed border provocations. In December 2024, the countries reached a deal on the remaining parts of the border. No fatal events occurred during 2024.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations regarding different sections of the border were held several times during the year. On 4 December 2024, the countries reached a final deal on the remaining parts of the border.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2025 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In March 2025, the countries signed a final border agreement that largely resolved the delimitation of the border, with demarcation and implementation ongoing. No fatal events occured in 2025.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: A final agreement was signed on March 13th 2025, which largely resolved the delimitation of the border, with demarcation and implementation ongoing.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
