Russia Sends Troops to Kazakhstan

Violence erupts in Almaty, Kazakhstan as Russian paratroopers descend on the city's outskirts to stop a riot in one of Moscow's closest allies. Police in Almaty said they had killed dozens of rioters in the early hours of Thursday (6/1/2022).

Local authorities said about 18 members of the security forces were killed, including two who were found decapitated .

More than 2,000 people were detained.

After protesters and soldiers clashed in the street, the offices of the president and mayor in Almaty were set on fire. Meanwhile charred cars were seen everywhere.

Military personnel managed to take control of Kazakhstan's main airport which was occupied by protesters. On Thursday afternoon clashes were seen in Almaty square. Alternately security forces and protesters took control of the square. There was the sound of explosions and gunfire as military vehicles and a number of soldiers advanced then the gunshots stopped and was heard again at night.

The TASS news agency quoted eyewitnesses as saying many people were killed and injured by gunfire. The deployment of Russian troops is a bet the Kremlin is making in the hope that military forces can secure their interests in the Central Asian oil and uranium producer.

Kazakh oil refinery operator Chevron said oil production at the Tengiz refinery was being reduced. The company said several contractors were disrupting the rail line as a form of support for the protesters. When the demonstrations broke out, the price of oil soared above 1 percent and so did uranium.The government of Kazakhstan has cut off the internet that has disrupted bitcoin mining at one of the world's largest crypto mines. In addition, the disconnection of the internet network also makes it difficult to measure the level of unrest.

But unrest of this kind is unprecedented in a country ruled by Nursultan Nazarbayev since Soviet times. The 81-year-old politician is still very much in power despite stepping down from the presidency three years ago.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said he was calling for the military alliance of the countries of the former Soviet Union led by Russia. According to him, the riots were carried out by terrorists trained by foreign countries. Tokayev said protesters seized buildings and weapons.

"This is an attack on the people who asked me to help them immediately," he said.

Moscow said it would consult with Kazakhstan and other allies in an effort to assist Kazakhstan's 'counter-terrorist operations'. Russia also supports Tokayev's statement accusing the rioters of being backed by foreign countries. Neither Russia nor Kazakhstan has presented evidence of the claim.

Moscow did not disclose how many troops they were sending. It was not immediately clear if any Russian troops were involved in Thursday's unrest.

RIA news agency reported that the secretary general of the alliance of the former Soviet Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said the total peacekeeping force was 2,500 people and could be strengthened if needed.The secretary general added that the mission to Kazakhstan was a short one that would only take "a few days or weeks".

The United States said it was closely monitoring reports of Russian troop deployments. The US also questioned whether the troops were officially invited.

"We question the appropriateness of deploying troops because Kazakhstan, the government of Kazakhstan, has its own resources and that government and country is well defended," said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

"We will closely monitor any human rights violations and any attempts or actions on the part of foreign forces to take over Kazakh institutions," he added.

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