Crossword Genius

Capital of Turkmenistan erased from geography book, woe is me! (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alas

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'woe is me' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alas that I've seen before include "I'm sorry to say" , "Regretfully!" , "Interjection of sorrow" , "-- and alack!" , "Unhappily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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