Russian-led CSTO Troops Withdrawn From Kazakhstan Today, President Tokayev: Very Successful Mission

Presiden Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru)

JAKARTA - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed that the withdrawal of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping contingent from Kazakhstan will begin on January 13.

at a meeting of the emergency operations center in Almaty, the presidential press service reported on Wednesday.

"Tomorrow (today), the organized withdrawal of the CSTO peacekeeping contingent will begin. I am holding talks with the leaders of the countries involved. emergency operations center meeting in Almaty, according to the presidential press service, citing TASS January 12

"His own presence from the CSTO peacekeeping contingent in Kazakhstan, including Almaty, played a very big role from the point of view of stabilizing the situation in our country," continued President Tokayev.

According to him, this has great psychological significance in deflecting the aggression of terrorists and bandits.

"The mission was judged very successful. Once again I thank my colleagues - the heads of state," praised the President of Kazakhstan.

According to the press service, during the meeting the president received reports "thanks to his decision to send additional troops to Almaty, including the CSTO peacekeeping contingent, the city was saved and countered by terrorists."

According to Almaty Administration Head Bakytzhan Sagintayev, all heat, energy, water, and gas supply facilities in the city are functioning as usual. Retail and catering facilities, markets, gas stations, and industrial establishments resumed operations, public transportation resumed operations.

"The president instructed the government commission together with the Almaty authorities to restore infrastructure objects as quickly as possible, including state institution buildings, law enforcement, and special structures, video surveillance systems. In addition, support will be provided to affected entrepreneurs," the press service said.

To note, protests against rising fuel prices erupted in several Kazakh cities on January 2, escalating into mass riots with government buildings being searched in several cities a few days later.

The ensuing violence left scores of people injured, with fatalities also reported. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev switched CSTO, asking for help from the Russian-led bloc, before finally announcing law and order was restored to all areas of the country on the morning of January 7th.