Kara-Suu is a city in the Osh region of Kyrgyzstan, situated in the Fergana Valley. It lies 23 kilometers northeast of Osh and serves as the administrative center of the Kara-Suu district. As of 2021, its population was 26,609. The city is a significant industrial and trade hub located on the border with Uzbekistan, with the Uzbek town of Karasuv situated just across the boundary.
In 1942, during World War II, Kara-Suu became the site of an Artillery Training Center for the Polish Anders' Army. Polish troops trained there before joining the fight against Nazi Germany.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uzbek authorities dismantled the main bridge over the river. Despite this, cross-border trade persisted through makeshift ropeways used to transport goods and people.
Kara-Suu gained international attention in May 2005 during the unrest in Uzbekistan and the subsequent massacre in Andijan. The events led to an influx of refugees crossing the border into Kyrgyzstan.
Kara-Suu is located 18 kilometers north of Osh. The road distance to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is 650 kilometers, while the nearest airport, in Osh, is just 15 kilometers away.
The Kyrgyz-Uzbek border near the city largely follows a canal that separates Kara-Suu from the Uzbek town of Karasuv.
Previously, the interregional highway Osh — (Sovetabad) — Jalal-Abad — Bishkek ran through Kara-Suu. However, this route now bypasses Uzbek territory via Uzgen. The Jalal-Abad — Andijan (Uzbekistan) railway line also passes through the city.
The economy of Kara-Suu is currently centered around the Kara-Suu wholesale and retail market, which serves customers from southern Kyrgyzstan as well as neighboring regions of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
The majority of goods supplied to the market come directly from China, with additional trade occurring through the Dordoi market in Bishkek. Alongside local merchants, the market also hosts traders from China and Uzbekistan.
The city is home to several industrial enterprises, although their production volumes are modest and primarily cater to local needs:
Kara-Suu has 3 kindergartens, 10 secondary schools, a boarding gymnasium, and a music school. The adult literacy rate in the city stands at 97%.
The city is home to the football club Jashtyk-Ak-Altyn, which was crowned champion of Kyrgyzstan in 2003. The club also earned silver medals twice (2001, 2002) and bronze medals five times (1999, 2004–2007).
Jashtyk-Ak-Altyn reached the Kyrgyzstan Cup finals on seven occasions (2001–2006 and 2008), but lost each time—first three times to SCA-PVO and the following four times to Dordoi-Dynamo. Currently, the club competes in one of the zones of the Second League.
Karasu, Turkey (sister city since December 10, 2020)
