17 dead in Kyrgyzstan violence

Violence in city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan.

At least 17 people were killed and scores others injured in fresh violence that erupted Friday in the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan, a region that has been marred in the past by ethnic tensions.

Rampaging youths broke store windows, torched buildings and clashed with security forces, the Kyrgyz news agency AKI reported, citing the Health Ministry.

Kyrgyzstan's interim government has imposed a state of emergency in Osh and its surrounding regions until June 20, Russia's state-run news agency RIA-Novosti reported, citing the Interior Ministry. More than 1,000 soldiers and police have been deployed to patrol the area.

Acting President Roza Otunbayeva told AKI that the clashes stemmed from ethnic tensions and were instigated by criminal networks operating in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Otunbayeva's provisional government came to power after bloody riots in April ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev but has struggled to assert authority over a volatile nation where uprisings are becoming common.

The United States has expressed concern over Kyrgyzstan's corruption, terrorism and tensions between Kyrgyz and minority Uzbeks.

But however unstable, the former Soviet republic has strategical importance -- U.S. troops fly in and out of Afghanistan through a key air base maintained by the United States just outside the Krygyz capital, Bishkek.

On Friday, the embassy issued a statement calling for a quick restoration of calm.

"The United States Embassy in Bishkek is deeply saddened about the reports of injuries and loss of life due to violence in Osh," said a statement posted online. "We urge everyone to resolve differences peacefully and with respect for rule of law. Violence is not an acceptable alternative."

The statement said U.S. Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller has been working with the government on the controlling the situation.

The latest violence comes as the leaders of the Central Asian states, Russia and China are attending an annual economic and security summit in neighboring Uzbekistan.