WORLD BRIDGE BLOG

The acrid smell of smoke and piles of rubble characterize once vibrant Uzbek communities in Osh. In the neighborhoods surrounding Osh's famous mountain in the city, Uzbek homes and businesses are now burnt-out shells or piles of rubble. Family members sit on the sidewalk in front of their homes, some pausing from shoveling out broken plaster, others awaiting the delivery of plastic tarps or tents so that they might camp out on their property.

RI staff was invited to visit two destroyed homes. We heard tales of the attacks-- trucks or military-type vehicles that broke down the gates to make way for women who went into the homes, stripping them of carpets, furniture, and other valuables. The women were followed by men, their faces covered but dressed in shiny new uniforms holding new guns, who proceeded to set fire to their homes, even as the residents tried to flee.

One family hid in their basement, only to feel the heat of the fires. They broke through the ceiling and ran roof to roof until they escaped the flames and gunfire. "There were snipers shooting on the street, we could not go outside...but we got away. Now we are living in a relative's home, thirty of us...what will become of us?"

"Please tell the world what happened here, we did nothing. We are religious families, we do not believe in violence, but we were attacked. We ran away to the border but had to wait before we were allowed into Uzbekistan... and then we were told we had to go home. We were not ready to come back, but authorities said we had no choice."

Osh, the country's second largest city, was once peaceful, with almost equal numbers of Kyrgyz and Uzbeks who got along. Now it is a tense city and its minority residents are nervous. UNHCR staff report being asked by Osh’s Uzbek citizens about how they can become "real refugees" and leave this place-- but they cannot. Many have stayed in their homes since the fighting began on June 10th, and only now are beginning to go out on the streets. Their sense of security and optimism is gone along with the 2,000 torched homes and businesses. Hopefully, their government can get international assistance to rebuild and reconcile its now damaged communities and find help for the large number of its citizens suffering from post-traumatic shock.