Tajikistan sends 345 Kyrgyz refugees back to Afghanistan

AKIPRESS.COM - A group of ethnic Kyrgyz, native of Andemin settlent, Wakhan district of Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, who fled to Tajikistan on July 13-14, returned to their home village on July 17-18, Tajik media reported with reference to the Border Troops of Tajikistan. 345 refugees returned home with 4,000 heads of cattle and vehicles.
The Afghan refugees returned through the border zone of Kyzyl-Rabot of Murgab district after the government of Afghanistan guaranteed their personal safety.
"During their stay in Tajikistan, the Afghan refugees were provided with shelter, food, clothing and medical assistance in line with the UN Convention on Status of Refugees," the Border Troops of Tajikistan said.
On July 13-14, some 347 ethnic Kyrgyz (91 men, 77 women, 177 minors) fled to Tajikistan from Taliban. Two infants died during border crossing.
The Kyrgyz authorities said they asked Tajikistan and UN for assistance in evacuation of ethnic Kyrgyz to Kyrgyzstan.