Russia has sent troops to help Kazakhstan which is now in an emergency status, Thursday (6/12). The Moscow paratroopers were deployed as part of the peacekeeping force sent by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
CSTO is a military alliance led by Russia and consists of several countries of the former Soviet Union.
This troop deployment is in response to a request for assistance submitted by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Meanwhile, the CSTO secretariat revealed that the main task of peacekeepers is to protect state and military facilities, as well as assist the Kazakh police.
The CSTO also said that about 2,500 troops would be sent to Kazakhstan. The plan, they will be there in a few weeks.
Citing Reuters, these peacekeepers also have the authority to use weapons in Kazakhstan if they are attacked by protesters.
Nevertheless, the emergence of Russian paratroopers reaped cons from Kazakhstani protesters.
“We do not support the presence of foreign militaries in our country,” one Kazakh national, Sabyr, told Reuters. He also pleaded for troops not to shoot at demonstrators in the country.
Sabyr and several other people gathered outside the Kazakh Embassy in London on Wednesday (5/1).
Sabyr carried a banner reading “Shal Ket” which means “Old Man Out,” a word used to describe Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s supreme leader since Soviet times.
Several others carried banners reading “Don’t Shoot” and “We are with you”.
“This protest was carried out against the tyranny, the tyranny of the dictatorship that has not changed for more than 30 years. The people of Kazakhstan are trying to get their freedom,” said Sabyr again.
In Almaty, the police said they had killed dozens of ‘rioters’ from the night before until the early hours of Thursday (6/1). Authorities said at least 18 members of the security forces were killed, including two who were beheaded.
More than 2,000 were arrested as a result of this massive demonstration.
Reuters reporters reported that clashes between demonstrators and troops set the president’s residence and governor’s office on fire in Almaty. Seen many burning cars scattered in the city.
Meanwhile, the military managed to take control of the main airport which was previously occupied by Protestants. Clashes also broke out again in Almaty’s main square, which was controlled alternately by troops and protesters.
Several Reuters reporters also heard explosions and gunfire as military vehicles and soldiers advanced, though the shooting stopped at night.
News agency TASS reported that several people were killed and injured as a result of this new shooting incident.
On the other hand, the deployment of Russian troops is an effort by the Kremlin to safeguard its interests over oil and uranium resources in Kazakhstan.
(pwn / bac)
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