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occurring since that 1920s when the Soviet Union had imposed borders onto what was once a unified land within the Khanate of Kokand .
Everything seemed fine until the collapse of the USSR and the two newly formed nations assumed the existing borders . Both sides claimed they were entitled to territory yet remained in relative peace for over 30 years when disputed and unofficial skirmishes along the border began . Throughout 2022 both sides claimed they had been attacked by the other leading to military personnel and civilians being killed .
International authorities suggested that most blame could be attributed to Tajikistan and in particular President Emomali Rahmon who it was suggested planned to hand over his position to his son Rustam Emomali while others claimed that the president was attempting to drag international attention away from ongoing protests of the Pamiri people for a claim to the region we were now riding through .
Throughout the past morning we ’ d come across abandoned homes , villages and outposts , most left derelict for much longer than two years , although here is a harsh land and even more so climate so who could really know ?
Eventually the Kyrgyz military staffing this outpost allowed us through and with new stamps in our passports we were welcomed into what is regarded as the regions only real democracy , although this is disputed at times .
Described as a ‘ dreamy plain ’ we were soon riding along a valley surrounded by the Allay Mountains . Indeed dreamy , it felt
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