The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping mission in Kazakhstan was a success, and the multinational deployment will begin a gradual withdrawal in two days, Nur-Sultan said on Tuesday.
Speaking to Parliament, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev explained that all regions of the country are now stable, more than a week after the start of fuel price protests. The authorities have claimed that the demonstration turned violent after being hijacked by terrorists and organized crime groups.
On January 5, Tokayev asked the CSTO, a security alliance made up of six former Soviet republics, for help in “overcoming the terrorist threat” within the country. The group quickly agreed and sent troops the next day. The multinational force includes units from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
“The main mission of the CSTO peacekeeping forces has been successfully completed. In two days, a phased withdrawal of the CSTO joint peacekeeping contingent will begin. The withdrawal process will not take more than ten days,” the president said, describing the invitation for foreign assistance as legally justified.