The Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) peacekeeping forces guarding socially-significant objects have begun the transfer process to Kazakhstan's law enforcement agencies, RIA news agency reported on Thursday.
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After protests in cities across the country, the CSTO answered Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's appeal last week for help by sending in 2,500 peacekeeping troops from Russia and other members of a regional security organization.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in defending Kazakhstan from what he described as a foreign-backed terrorist uprising, and promised leaders of other ex-Soviet states that a Moscow-led alliance would protect them.
Tokayev said on Tuesday the CSTO's main mission had been successfully completed. It would start a phased withdrawal in two days and pull out altogether within 10 days.
The city administration headquarters in Almaty, Kazakhstan on January 10, 2022. /Reuters
The city administration headquarters in Almaty, Kazakhstan on January 10, 2022. /Reuters
In a video call with parliament after putting down what he has called an attempted coup, Tokayev appointed a new government headed by career public servant Alikhan Smailov on Tuesday.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a session of parliament via a video call in Kazakh capital Nur Sultan, January 11, 2022. / Reuters
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a session of parliament via a video call in Kazakh capital Nur Sultan, January 11, 2022. / Reuters
Kazakh security forces have detained 9,900 people over the unrest, Kazakhstan's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.
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(With input from Reuters)