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Drones

Explosion of Unknown Drone Reported in Western Kazakhstan

Debris believed to be from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been discovered in the Burlin district of West Kazakhstan region. Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred early in the morning near the village of Kyzyltal. According to Uralskaya Nedelya, representatives from the district akimat (local government), emergency services, and local police are currently investigating the scene. The military prosecutor’s office has also been dispatched and has opened a criminal case. “This morning, a drone of unknown origin exploded near Kyzyltal village in the Burlin district. The roofs of houses in the village were nearly blown off,” eyewitnesses told local media. The incident coincides with an air threat alert declared in Russia’s neighboring Orenburg region, where authorities reported a potential UAV incursion. The “Kover” plan, a protocol enacted during airspace threats, was implemented at the airports in Orenburg and Orsk. Police in West Kazakhstan confirmed the incident and stated that a full investigation is underway. “The police department, in cooperation with authorized agencies, is conducting an investigation into the discovery of what appears to be UAV debris in the Burlin district. All circumstances are being reviewed,” the department’s press service said. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense also responded, noting that no casualties or material damage had been reported. “In cooperation with relevant state bodies, verification efforts are underway to determine the circumstances and origin of the object. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan has implemented additional measures to enhance airspace control and prevent unauthorized aerial border crossings. Consultations are ongoing with foreign partners who may potentially be linked to the UAV,” the ministry said in a statement. This incident follows a similar discovery on June 19, when suspected UAV fragments were found in the Karakiyan district of the Mangistau region, near the Bolashak border station. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, in March 2025 there were three drone-related events in West Kazakhstan in one month, raising concerns about airspace security near the country's border with Russia.

Kyrgyz Parliament

300 OSCE Observers to Monitor Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Elections

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will deploy 300 observers to monitor Kyrgyzstan’s upcoming parliamentary elections. The country’s Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed the news in a statement published on its official website. According to the CEC, 30 long-term observers will begin work next week, monitoring the electoral process across all regions of Kyrgyzstan. An additional 300 short-term observers will arrive closer to election day to assess voting procedures and the vote count. Ahead of the vote, CEC Chairman Tyntyk Shainazarov met in Bishkek with representatives from the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Mission head Tamás Mészáros stated that the team had arrived in full and was ready to begin its work. The CEC noted that OSCE representatives expressed interest in attending meetings of the election commission and its working groups, both prior to and following the elections. Both sides affirmed their commitment to open and comprehensive cooperation. Shainazarov highlighted that Kyrgyzstan’s revised electoral system is designed to ensure fair representation of all regions in parliament, uphold gender balance, and facilitate remote voting. For the first time, a remote voting system will allow citizens to vote in any district without needing absentee ballots or additional paperwork. Ballots will be generated at polling stations, listing candidates from the relevant constituency. “We have achieved our goal: voters will vote only once and only for one candidate. This eliminates the possibility of fraud and other violations. I believe this is a great achievement,” Shainazarov said. The OSCE mission also showed particular interest in the technical details of the new system. Observers were briefed on the equipment and voting procedures ahead of the election, which will take place on November 30. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the parliament voted on September 25 to dissolve itself, setting the stage for early elections. The decision was approved by 84 deputies, with five abstentions and one absence. The upcoming vote will be conducted under revised rules. The country has been divided into 30 constituencies, each of which will elect three deputies.

Afghanistan

Herat Tribal Peace Paves Way for Central Asian Connectivity Projects

In Herat province, a long-standing conflict between the Timuri and Achakzai tribal communities has officially ended. With the mediation of local authorities, religious scholars (ulemas), and community elders, peace was sealed by a public handshake. While the event may seem local in scope, it carries wider significance for Afghanistan and the broader Central Asian region. The Timuri-Achakzai feud is emblematic of a broader pattern across Afghanistan’s periphery: limited resources and the absence of effective distribution mechanisms. Disputes over land and water, exacerbated by droughts, shifting river courses, and inadequate irrigation infrastructure, had long fueled tensions over pastures and access to irrigation ditches. Compounding the problem, the disputed areas serve as a critical logistical junction, with both groups vying for control over transit routes. By the early 2020s, the conflict had calcified into a cycle of blood feuds. Traditional mediation efforts had collapsed, and the return of refugees from Iran, along with internal migration, further inflamed tensions as undocumented land claims surged. Weak central governance and legal ambiguity deepened the divide. A turning point came in 2023-2024, when Herat’s provincial leadership, working with ulemas and tribal elders, revived dialogue. The key to de-escalation was the realization of mutual dependence. Both groups faced declining agricultural yields, shrinking incomes, and reduced access to state and international aid. Their shared losses laid the groundwork for a symbolic public reconciliation, restoring a platform of trust. This reconciliation has practical implications for Central Asia. The proposed Turgundi, Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak railway, a critical trans-Afghan infrastructure project, passes through Timuri and Achakzai territories. Until recently, their rivalry posed a major risk from land disputes to construction security. Now, with both communities demonstrating their readiness to cooperate, political and transactional risks are receding. Herat’s peace agreement offers lessons for regional stakeholders invested in trans-Afghan corridors. First, infrastructure projects in Afghanistan require social engagement. Tribal structures must be included at every stage. Second, economic interdependence can be a catalyst for peace. When communities understand the tangible benefits of cooperation, they are more inclined to compromise. Third, local reconciliation creates what might be called a “social corridor.” The Achakzai and their related kin are present not only in Herat but also in Kandahar and Spin Boldak, spanning the planned railway’s route. Their buy-in transforms the line from a logistical corridor into a corridor of trust. This development is a strategic signal for the region. Localized Afghan conflicts can either block or enable integration efforts. Every grassroots peacebuilding success strengthens the region’s broader architecture of stability. Uzbekistan is eyeing the Trans-Afghan Highway. Turkmenistan is seeking to develop its connection through Turgundi. Kazakhstan is exploring how to link its rail networks with South Asia. All of these initiatives depend on the stability and cooperation of Afghan communities along the routes. The reconciliation between the Timuri and Achakzai should not be dismissed as a minor episode. It sets a precedent. Transitioning from high-level political declarations to the technical implementation of cross-border transit projects becomes more plausible when social dynamics are respected. If Central Asian...

Banking

Kazakh Lawmakers Propose Ban on the Word “Halyk” in Bank Names

A group of deputies in the Mazhilis, Kazakhstan’s lower house of parliament, has proposed amendments to the Law “On Banks and Banking Activities,” seeking to prohibit the use of specific words in the names of financial institutions, most notably “halyk” (“people's”). Deputy Murat Abenov announced the initiative via his official Facebook page, stating that more than 50 lawmakers are backing the proposal to revise Article 7 of the banking law. The draft amendment would expand existing restrictions on bank names, currently banning terms such as “national,” “central,” “state,” and “republican”, to also exclude “people's” and “halyk,” in any language or form. If adopted, the legislation would directly affect Halyk Bank JSC, one of Kazakhstan’s most prominent and systemically important financial institutions. Halyk Bank, whose name translates to “People’s Bank,” is part of the broader Halyk Group, which is active in banking, insurance, brokerage, and leasing services. The bank’s largest shareholder is ALMEX Holding Group JSC, controlled by Timur and Dinara Kulibayev, the son-in-law and daughter of former President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Abenov argued that the term “people's” carries specific legal and symbolic significance. Under Article 3 of Kazakhstan’s Constitution, the people are the bearers of sovereignty and the sole source of state power. He contended that allowing a private commercial institution to use this term may mislead the public into believing it serves or is governed by the population at large. The proposal has drawn strong criticism from the Kazakhstan Investors Association, which views the amendment as selectively targeting Halyk Bank. “The discussion and especially the adoption of this amendment pose significant risks to legal certainty, the investment climate, and the national economy,” the Association said in a public statement. The Association further emphasized that brand names are legally protected intellectual property. Under Kazakhstan’s Constitution, private property, including trademarks, can only be expropriated through a court ruling. “A legislative prohibition on an established, lawfully registered brand violates core principles of Kazakhstan’s legal system,” the statement read. Investor representatives also warned that the move could damage Kazakhstan’s reputation among foreign investors. “The Halyk Bank brand has existed for decades and holds historical significance. Forcing a name change may be viewed as retroactive regulation, undermining investor confidence, especially considering the bank’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange,” the Association noted. The group called for a “constructive dialogue grounded in legal principles, economic rationale, and common sense,” warning that arbitrary restrictions could harm financial stability and deter investment. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Halyk Bank has expanded regionally, acquiring a 49% stake in Uzbek digital payments firm Click, marking a major fintech investment in Central Asia.

Human Rights

Turkmen Activist Saddam Gulamov Faces Harsh Sentence for Government Criticism

Russia has extradited Saddam Gulamov, a Turkmen citizen and outspoken critic of the regime, to Turkmenistan, where he was sentenced to a lengthy prison term in 2024, according to a report by Turkmen.news. Born in 1991 in Ashgabat, Gulamov had publicly condemned the government's handling of the food crisis, its denial of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its silence following a devastating hurricane. He is reportedly being held in solitary confinement in prison alongside another activist. Gulamov had been residing in Russia, working in minor roles in theater and film. He was deported to Turkmenistan between late 2023 and early 2024 and convicted by the spring of 2024. The precise charges and length of his sentence have not been disclosed. Before his arrest, Gulamov had used social media to denounce the country's former president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, calling him a “dictator and thief,” and urging citizens to reject the culture of blind obedience toward Turkmenistan’s leadership. All of his online content has since been removed. His case is part of a broader crackdown on dissent that intensified in 2020, when the government's inaction during crises led to rising political awareness among citizens. This growing unrest sparked the formation of opposition movements abroad, with activists using social media to call for unity and reform. Turkmen intelligence services closely monitored these activities, and once pandemic-era border restrictions were lifted, many dissidents were forcibly repatriated. Several activists, including Farhat Meymankuliev, Rovshen Klychev, and Merdan Mukhammedov, were deported from Turkey, while others sought asylum in European Union countries. Russia, though less involved than Turkey, has also played a significant role in these forced returns. Notable cases include Azat Isakov, who disappeared in Moscow in 2021 after saying he was hiding from security agents, and Myalikberdy Allamuradov, who was deported in December 2023 and later imprisoned. The list of targeted activists now includes Gulamov. According to Turkmen.news, both he and Allamuradov are being held in solitary confinement in the LB-E/12 penal colony. His extradition follows a similar incident in May, when activist Umida Bekchanova was detained in Istanbul and faced possible deportation to Turkmenistan. Human rights groups warn these actions are part of an expanding campaign of transnational repression aimed at silencing critics abroad through intimidation and forced returns.

Water Crisis

Kyrgyzstan Highlights Water Crisis at FAO’s Rome Water Dialogue

Kyrgyzstan requires $1.2 billion in investment to resolve drinking water supply issues in 960 villages nationwide, Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobayev announced during the Rome Water Dialogue 2025. The event took place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome. According to the ministry, Kyrgyzstan has 2,014 villages, but only 796 currently have access to clean drinking water. While pipeline construction is underway in 258 villages, 960 remain without a reliable supply. “If we don’t invest the necessary funds today, restoring the lost potential tomorrow will cost three times as much. It’s time to give water the same level of attention as oil and gas,” Torobayev told the international forum. The minister emphasized that the conservation and rational use of water resources is one of the most urgent challenges in Central Asia. Accelerated climate change and population growth are intensifying water shortages and threatening food security across the region. Torobayev noted that approximately 10 million people in Central Asia still lack access to clean drinking water. He also cited figures showing that 80% of the region’s water infrastructure is outdated, with water losses reaching up to 55%. He underscored the importance of protecting Kyrgyzstan’s mountain glaciers, which serve as critical water sources for major regional rivers that supply neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Another urgent issue, according to the minister, is the declining water level in Lake Issyk-Kul, a body of water with regional environmental and climatic significance. “The tragic example of the Aral Sea shows that the loss of natural resources can lead to irreversible consequences. Water security is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of national and global sustainable development,” Torobayev warned.