Kyrgyzstan reports heavy fighting with Tajikistan, 24 people killed

A still image from video, released by the Kyrgyz border guard service, shows what it said to be active military confrontation on Kyrgyz-Tajik border as seen from an unidentified location in the Batken region, Kyrgyzstan, in this still image taken from handout footage released September 16, 2022. Kyrgyz Border Guard Service/Handout via REUTERS

Kyrgyzstan reported "intense battles" with Central Asian neighbour Tajikistan on Friday and said 24 people had been killed in the latest outbreak of violence to hit the former Soviet Union.

Both of the small impoverished landlocked nations have accused each other of restarting fighting in a disputed area, despite a ceasefire deal.