Regional security organisation deploys ‘peacekeeping forces’ as protests turn bloody in the main city of Almaty.
Advanced units of Russian paratroopers flew into Kazakhstan on Thursday, January 6, as part of the ‘peacekeeping forces’ deployed by the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation [Russian Defence Ministry Press Service, an Al Jazeera report says
Dozens of people, including citizens and police officers, have been killed as protests continue in Kazakhstan, the worst street unrest since the country gained independence 30 years ago.
Thousands have reportedly been arrested in Almaty and among the injured, at least 60 are in intensive care.
Triggered by spiralling fuel prices, the protests that began over the weekend, have now turned into anti-government riots, a result of latent resentment of more than three decades of rule by ex-President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Meanwhile, Nazarbayev’s handpicked successor, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has sacked the country’s government and declared a nationwide two-week state of emergency.
He has also invited troops from a Russian-headed military alliance of former Soviet states into Kazakhstan to restore order.
Closely monitoring the situation, the US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters: “The United States and, frankly, the world will be watching for any violation of human rights”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has suspended all passenger service between Turkey and Kazakhstan, the flag carrier announced.
The decision was made in light of protests that have rocked the country, the airline said.
The peacekeeping forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) sent to Kazakhstan total about 2,500 personnel.
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