Kazakhstan unrest: CSTO sends peacekeeping force to stabilise violent situation in country

As protest intensified in Kazakhstan, Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), on Thursday, has sent peacekeeping forces to control riot in country. According to a report by Sputnik, CSTO secretariat confirmed media reports of sending several units of armed forces in country. "In accordance with decision me by CSTO Collective Security Council on 6 January 2022, Collective Peacekeeping Forces of Collective Security Treaty Organisation were sent to Kazakhstan for a limited period of time to stabilise and normalise situation", Sputnik quoted CSTO secretariat as saying.

" main tasks will be guarding important state and military facilities and assist law enforcement of Kazakhstan in stabilising situation and returning it to legal framework," CSTO secretariat ded.

Police officer beheed in Kazakhstan unrest

Notably, statement from CSTO secretariat came as Kazakhstan is experiencing worst street protests nearly after three deces. While speaking to news channel Khabar-24, police spokeswoman Saltanat Azirbek said re were attempts to storm buildings overnight in Almaty city. According to her, attacks on government buildings le to killing of over a dozen police officers. She said one of police officers was found beheed. State news channel Khabar-24 informed a total of 353 law enforcement officers were injured in dely clash. Meanwhile, CSTO secretariat ded Russia has sent delegation of a peacekeeping force by Russian Aerospace Forces to stabilise condition that was intensified over a sharp rise in prices for liquefied petroleum gas fuel. On Sunday, demonstrations began in country’s west but spre to Almaty and capital Nur-Sultan within two days.

Notably, Collective Security Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military union in Eurasia that consists of selected post-Soviet states. member includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. According to news agency, Kazakhstan peacekeeping forces were sent after Kazakhstan requested hes of CSTO member states to send armed forces to control riots in Kazakhstan. "In this regard and relying on Collective Security Treaty, today I reached out to hes of CSTO member states to assist Kazakhstan in overcoming this terrorist threat," Sputnik quoted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as saying. 

(Image: AP)