Security forces in Kazakhstan have reportedly killed dozens of protesters in the country’s largest city, Almaty, amid escalating unrest. The protests, initially triggered by a sharp increase in fuel prices, have rapidly evolved into a broader movement against the government.
Russia has dispatched paratroopers to Kazakhstan to assist in quelling the anti-government demonstrations in the former Soviet republic. According to Kazakhstan’s state media, at least 13 security officers have been killed and more than 350 injured during the clashes.
The unrest began after the government lifted price caps on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), effectively doubling its cost. This sparked widespread anger among citizens who rely on LPG for their vehicles. The protests have since spread to major cities, including the capital Nursultan, reflecting deeper discontent with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s administration.
In response to the turmoil, President Tokayev’s government has resigned. Kazakhstan’s health ministry reports that more than 1,000 people have been injured in the protests. The unrest also underscores lingering resentment toward former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who ruled the nation for nearly three decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The deployment of Russian troops marks a significant escalation in the situation. The intervention was requested by President Tokayev under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of former Soviet states, citing the need to protect national security and sovereignty.
The international community is closely monitoring the developments in Kazakhstan, a country rich in natural resources and strategically positioned between Russia and China. The outcome of these protests could have significant implications for the region’s political and economic stability.
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Russia sends troops to Kazakhstan as dozens killed in protests
cgtn.com
