According to Russian news sources, Russian paratroopers have arrived in Kazakhstan as part of a “peacekeeping” mission by a military coalition led by Moscow to assist the country’s president in regaining control of the country.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev requested intervention from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) late on Wednesday, and the request was quickly approved. The CSTO is an alliance made up of countries including Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and the Russian Federation.
The announcement comes as violent clashes between demonstrators and members of the police and army continue in Kazakhstan.
There is little credible information on the number of victims, but a police spokeswoman in Almaty, the country’s largest city, was quoted by local news outlets as stating that dozens of people were murdered during attacks on government facilities. Almaty is the country’s capital and largest city.
Three hundred and fifty-three police and security forces employees were injured, and twelve were murdered, according to Almaty city authorities on Thursday.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, shots were fired as troops marched into Almaty’s central plaza. Several armoured personnel carriers and scores of troops on foot came on the scene on Thursday morning, with shots fired as they neared the throng, according to witnesses who spoke to the news agency Reuters
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has stopped all financial institutions, according to reports broadcast on state television on Thursday. The internet, as well as cell phone reception, is largely unavailable throughout the country.
The claims of violent skirmishes and shooting in Almaty and other places on Wednesday were accompanied by dubious videos saying protestors had been killed or injured.
In Almaty, Kazakhstan, the mayor’s office is on fire.br>
5th of January, 2022, at ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN A burning automobile being seen by the mayor’s office while it is on fire. In response to increased fuel prices, demonstrators have taken to the streets across Kazakhstan, breaking into the mayor’s office in Almaty and setting it on fire. atch military are being sent in to “stabilise” the country of Central Asia.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has stopped all financial institutions, according to reports broadcast on state television on Thursday. The internet, as well as cell phone reception, is largely unavailable throughout the country.
On Wednesday, there had been reports of violent clashes and shooting in Almaty and other cities, as well as unverified videos suggesting casualties among protesters.
5th of January, 2022, at ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN A burning automobile being seen by the mayor’s office while it is on fire. In response to increased fuel prices, demonstrators have taken to the streets across Kazakhstan, breaking into the mayor’s office in Almaty and setting it on fire. TASS photo by Valery Sharifulin (Photo courtesy of Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Getty Images)…
In the midst of fuel demonstrations in Kazakhstan, there have been violent conflicts, as seen in these photographs.
More information can be found here.
On Wednesday night, Tokayev requested assistance from the CSTO in regaining control. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia stated that the alliance would dispatch forces to “stabilise” the country in Central Asia, according to Reuters.
