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Protests broke out in Kazakhstan on Jan 2 2022 after an increase in gas prices which, according to the Kazakh government, was due to high demand and price-fixing.[1]
To try to satisfy the demands of the protestors, the government applied oil price controls in Mangystau, one of the largest Oil Producing Regions in Kazakhstan. Every member of the current cabinet in Kazakhstan has also resigned, another concession to the protestors.[2][3] The current situation in Kazakhstan is incredibly volatile, leading to the responses of the governments of Russia, China, and Turkey for the protestors to stop.[4] Kazakhstan has also requested for the military of Russia to assist in quelling the protests.
In January 6, protesters pulled down the statue of ex-Soviet Kazakhstan leader Nursultan Nazarbayev.[5]
The US, without being directly asked about the subject, immediately went on the defensive and sought to debunk 'crazy Russian claims' that the US is behind the unrest in Kazakhstan.[6]
CTSO involvement
Kazakhstan is part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CTSO), a military organisation whose members promote security, military cooperation, and the sovereignty of member-states.
As such, president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited Russian troops from the CTSO agreement in Kazakhstan to help control the protests. So far, 2500 troops have arrived[7] and their mission, as stated by Chairman of State Duma's Committee for CIS Leonid Kalashnikov will be to protect infrastructure. Kalashnikov also stated the troops are allowed to use their weapons if attacked by "armed gangs".[8] He further claimed the troops would be in Kazakhstan for days, maybe weeks, clarifying he sees a quick resolution to the protests.[9]
References
- ↑ Joanna Lillis (2022-01-03). "Kazakhstan: Gas price hike fuels Zhanaozen protests"
- ↑ Nur-Sultan (2022-01-04). "Protests in Kazakhstan. The main thing" TASS.
- ↑ Al Jazeera (2022-01-04). "Protests erupt in Kazakhstan after fuel price rise"
- ↑ "Протесты в Казахстане. Главное" (2022-01-05).
- ↑ "Kazakhstan protesters pull down statue of ex-leader in largest rallies since fall of Soviet Union" (2022-01-05). The Telegraph.
- ↑ Callie Patteson (2022-01-05). "White House dismisses ‘crazy Russian claims’ that US is behind Kazakhstan unrest" NY Post. Archived from the original on 2022-01-06.
- ↑ David Child, Anealla Safdar, Mersiha Gadzo (2022-01-06). "Russian troops arrive in crisis-hit Kazakhstan: Live updates" Al Jazeera.
- ↑ Akipress.com (2022-01-06). "CSTO to ensure safety of infrastructure in Kazakhstan - State Duma member" Akipress. Archived from the original.
- ↑ Nariman Gizitdinov (2022-01-06). Crackdown Deepens as Russian Troops Arrive: Kazakh Update Bloomberg. Archived from the original.