Journal of Osh State University. History
Journal of Osh State University. History
e-ISSN 1694-867X
DOI: 10.52754/1694867X
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Military conflicts on the borders of Central Asia in the 1990s-2020s: Causes, dynamics and historical lessons

Azis Isaev

Received 28.05.2025, Revised 01.10.2025, Accepted 13.11.2025

Abstract

Border conflicts in Central Asia throughout the 1990s-2020s constituted one of the key threats to regional stability in the post-Soviet space. The aim of this study was to conduct a multidimensional analysis of the causes, course, and consequences of armed border incidents between the states of Central Asia, particularly the Kyrgyz Republic, within the context of transformations in the geopolitical environment. The research methodology was based on a combination of historical-political, chronological, discourse analysis and case study approaches. The findings established that border conflicts have a complex nature, shaped by the Soviet legacy of national-territorial delimitation, the ethnopolitical interweaving of identities, unequal access to resources, and the institutional weakness of state structures. The Ferghana Valley, particularly the Batken Region of the Kyrgyz Republic, emerged as a particularly acute hotspot of conflict manifestations. The study revealed that competition between local and national interests contributed to escalation during seasonal flare-ups. The influence of international organisations on conflict de-escalation proved limited due to contradictions among participants and a low level of trust. Processes of delimitation and demarcation remain incomplete, especially along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. At the same time, local reconciliation practices demonstrate certain potential, though they require support from state institutions. The conclusions highlight that border conflicts serve as indicators of broader political and social transformations in the region and necessitate a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to analysis. Effective stabilisation is only possible when historical experience and the interests of all ethnic groups in the region are taken into account. The practical significance of the study lies in the development of recommendations for preventing the escalation of border conflicts and creating sustainable mechanisms for regional security


Keywords:

stateless persons; armed clashes; delimitation; demarcation; escalation; crisis response

https://doi.org/10.52754/1694867X_2025_4(2)_18

Retrieved from Vol. 14, No. 2, 2025

Pages 18-32

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Suggested citation

Isaev, A. (2025). Military conflicts on the borders of Central Asia in the 1990s-2020s: Causes, dynamics and historical lessons. Journal of Osh State University. History, 4(2), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.52754/1694867X_2025_4(2)_18