News Article - The International Report - 29MAY2022

[MSG Speirs]

The International Report
May 29th, 2022

Civilian Food Riots Lead to "The Bashi Massacre"

WARNING: The following article contains images that may not be suitable for some viewers - discretion is advised.






(via FSNBC)

TURKMENBASHI, TURKMENISTAN- Upwards of 30 civilians have been left dead after a late-night food-shortage dispute which quickly morphed into a violent and bloody clash between civilians and the Turkmen Ground Forces stationed in Turkmenbashi. Recent demonstrations in Turkmenbashi coupled with global shipping disruptions have led to a strain on local food supplies, escalating tensions between Menar Bazaar merchants and the local populace.

A terrifying and grotesque scene followed what appeared to have started as hunger riots quickly turned military crackdown, in what now other media outlets are calling "The Bashi Massacre".

Turkmen social media accounts are claiming stones and bottles were hurled at Turkmen Armed Forces, after confronting citizens about "conducting themselves in a dishonorable and unbecoming manner over food" and "failing to adhere to His Excellency's Presidential standards of citizenry decorum."

State-sponsored Turkmenistan National News are reporting Turkmen Armed Forces attempted to de-escalate the situation, "...however, after being fired upon with hunting shotguns, the heroes of our nation only option was to exercise deadly force to protect the integrity of our homeland."

Turkmen Armed Forces are believed to have assisted what appeared to be agents of the Ministry for National Security in removing and transporting multiple body bags from the Menar Bazaar. Military transport trucks with medical markings alongside local ambulatory vehicles were reported leaving the scene in tandem. Shortly thereafter, it was reported military troops' transports loaded with detained civilians departed the scene tailed by blacked-out sports utility vehicles.

Multiple nations' respective foreign ministers and state secretaries have expressed disappointment over the incident, with some claiming to the effect that recent events have forced a hard reflection on current inter-state relationships, which will undoubtedly have a negative effect on the future efforts to preserve diplomatic channels and relations with Turkmenistan. While not available for immediate comment, United States Secretary of State Martha Wyngaard has expressed both her and the U.S. State Department's full condemnation of the event. At this time, there have been no talks of any United Nations sanctions, or any other punitive diplomatic tool for the central Asian nation of Turkmenistan, however, an unnamed official working under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), who agreed to comment on the condition of anonymity, claimed that the UNSC has called a meeting to discuss the growing concern over how an unstable Turkmenistan could potentially disrupt stability and security efforts across the entire Central Asian continent. A spokesperson with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has also expressed that the alliance is "...maintaining a close eye on the situation in [Turkmenistan] the country..." and "...is considering a number of avenues to aid in minimising further escalation of threats against peace in the region."


Turkmen Military Skirmishes in Mary


(via Turkmenistan National News)
(Photo captions read left quote: Keepers of Peace, right quote: Turkmenistan National News, with TNN watermark/logo)

ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN - Rising tensions and continued civil unrest amongst the Turkmenistani citizenry have resulted in violent clashes between the Turkmen armed forces and local protest groups/demonstrators in the province of Mary. TIR has been attempting to verify unconfirmed reports of multiple explosions and gunfire exchanges within the municipality of Mary. The explosions are thought to be that of improvised weaponry with some locals reporting on social media that a car bomb may have been detonated near the Kargush Hotel. Unconfirmed reports have also claimed that gunfire exchanges have spilled out into city streets near the ancient city ruin of Merv which are located near Mary city. In an effort to confirm reports coming out of Mary, TIR has reached out to Turkmenistan National News (TNN) for comment, but no comment or reply was offered at the time of publishing.

TNN is reporting, however, that local armed forces stationed in Mary were deployed to the city and surrounding villages and town as peacekeepers, stating:
 
-“...valiantly defended the ruins of Merv from, thugs and vagabonds, whose only aim is to seek destruction and desecration of the rich and glorious cultural icon.”

TIR will continue to independently verify all reports coming out of Mary as the situation develops.




Turkmen President Orders Country-Wide Martial Law, Curfew


(via Jetty Images)

ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN - In a predictable response to the death of his father and ruling predecessor, Usmon Murtazayev, Turkmen President Stepan Murtazayev has declared martial law across Turkmenistan.

President Murtazayev claims that the move is a necessary self-defence measure against the escalating disorder caused by increasingly violent demonstrations, the conflict between local police and demonstrators, and even reports of increasing hostility between local community leaders- torn between easing tensions and supporting the dissent against the state.

Details remain slim regarding the circumstances leading to Usmon Murtazayev’s murder, which also resulted in the deaths of two bodyguards and another unidentified male at the Turkmen residence, all four of which were executed, almost assuredly a targeted act of violence against the former ruler outside a residence in Turkmenbashi yesterday.

The crackdown, however, is equally likely to spark conflict as it is to quell the seemingly spiraling situation across the country, which has seen demonstrations and riots in multiple cities and villages. Protests and subsequent rioting in Mary initially stemmed from the election results earlier this month, but have since shifted to a protracted stance of unity against the Murtazayev regime.

TIR continues to monitor the situation developing in Turkmenistan and will bring you updates regarding events on the ground as able.


Turkmen Riots Continue for Full Week


(via Telegram)

ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN - Turkmenistan's military began deploying troops Sunday to assist the local police force in quelling the week-long riots and violence sparked by the recent election of Stepan Murtazayev, and only encouraged by the display of vengeance against former Turkmen President Usmon Murtazayev. More than 1600 people have been reported as being arrested for crimes tied to the protests and riots across the cities of Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi, and Dashoguz alone.

The increased armed presence is expected to help bring some stability to each city, particularly in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's largest and most populous city. Military guards stand watch at the homes of government officials and the presidential palace to deter possible attacks in response to further threats of specific targeting of government members. Military checkpoints were also deployed throughout each of the major cities in order to assist in curfew enforcement & bolster a visible presence to minimise further demonstrations.

In conjunction with Turkmen Internal Troops, local police forces are working to reopen M37, the main thoroughfare and trade route of Ashgabat. The major highway, which runs parallel to the natural mountain border between Turkmenistan and Iran, connects the capital to the various coastal villages and transportation routes near the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, was made nearly impassible as a result of a series of roadblocks formed by protesters just west of the city limits. Fire brigade crews have also been deployed to assist in dealing with these obstacles, which in many cases were set ablaze and layered with tyres to prevent deconstruction by police forces.

Armed conflict has also begun to arise in rural villages outside the capital, clashes between police and civilians in the small hamlet of Germab resulted in nearly 20 dead and wounded with similar clashes in villages and towns across the region. A Turkmen police raid on a house in Annau, just outside of the capital, turned up nearly a hundred various small arms, including pistols and assault rifles, as well as over 10,000 rounds of ammunition.

It is clear that as the situation deteriorates in Turkmenistan, emotions continue to fuel the actions of both sides, and while Turkmen President’s declaration of martial law and enforced curfew may potentially mitigate violence short term, it is unknown how, or even if, the effects of these measures will have a lasting effect. The anger of the Turkmen people seems underscored by the recent discovery of weapon stashouses, supporting evidence of an organised resistance movement against the Murtazayev regime, which is sure to galvanise those who have simply, had enough.

AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY 1-506th S-2
Reviewed By: SSG Erik Speirs, WO1 Juan Reynoso

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