The International Report
June 29th, 2022
Despite Decline In Violence, US Embassy In Turkmenistan Begins Full Evacuation
Photo via Telegram
ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN - With martial law and strict curfew measures enacted in force at the end of May across Turkmenistan, reported violence and rioting which previously consumed multiple cities and villages have fallen drastically with the turn of the month, with only sporadic clashes between government authorities and local citizens. Late last week, Turkmen Border Guards posted a bulletin that announced that Kazakh & Uzbeki grain and other food shipments will resume on a restricted basis, starting with the capital of Ashgabat.
This seemingly positive turn of events, however, has been widely criticised across the international community, with claims that the Turkmen government is leveraging food as a means of imposing control over citizens who are clearly unhappy with the recently elected president's handling of the country's affairs. The situation is made all the more critical with the looming threat of food shortages throughout major Turkmen cities, including the capital.
Despite the seemingly rapid decline and stabilising affair which included violent clashes and even indications of civil conflict throughout the country over the last two weeks, US Secretary of State Martha Wyngaard has confirmed that the US mission to Ashgabat began an ordered departure of all non-critical US personnel on Monday, including American citizens (AMCITs) in the capital and throughout the country.
Several US military airlift aircraft have arrived and since departed from Ashgabat International Airport over the last three days, presumably to support embassy and AMCIT evacuations, though sources with the State Department have indicated that US military airlift and chartered commercial flights are also being organized to support British and French diplomats and expatriates in proximity to the capital.
Several days following the enactment of martial law nationwide, Turkmen President Stepan Murtazayev ordered additional restrictions on incoming and outgoing traffic along the Dashoguz-Kazakh border with Uzbekistan. These restrictions have since created a significant spike in transit time for goods and resources imported via the border crossing, but most critically, a severe impact on food imports such as grain and fresh produce. With the implementation of martial law and the further control measures put in place, an increased military presence in the region has exacerbated the civilian tensions, especially in the capital. It is expected that the situation on the ground will become direr as food reserves dwindle and Turkmen citizens continue to bear the weight of these measures imposed by the Turkmen government.
AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY 1-506th S-2Reviewed By: 1LT Mallory, WO1 Juan Reynoso, SSG Erik Speirs
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