Photograph of Kyrgyz special forces defending a government facility from MediaForum.Az.

neweurasia has been following the uprising in Kyrgyzstan, which began yesterday in Talas and has since spread to Bishkek.   Monitor our full coverage in English, in Russian, and in Kyrgyz, as well as on our new hubpage at Demotix.

Given the fact that this time of year witnesses ritual protests to commemorate the Tulip Revolution, it is still unclear whether this is just a particularly bad flare-up.  However, the videos and photographs trickling in are showing that this may indeed be a repeat of 2005.

I talked with our Kyrgyz blogger in Bishkek, Mirsulzhan Namazaliev, about whether he thinks this uprising is just a very bad flare-up or a revolution.   Here’s what he said:

I think there’s no way back. If the opposition fails, it will be the worst thing that can happen.  Almost everybody from political opposition will be jailed, and we will move towards dictatorship and internet control.

Also check out Sean Roberts’ remarks on the Registan.

Our hopes and prayers are with everyone in Kyrgyzstan!