Security officials in Kazakhstan admitted they've killed dozens of anti-government rioters in the large main city of Almaty, after alleging the protesters attempted to storm and take control of several police stations. Authorities have labeled the massive fuel protests which have brought the country to the brink of collapse as fueled by "terrorists" and manipulated by "outside interference".
Russian troops are en route to help restore order after an urgent decision by the Russian-led regional security bloc Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). "The CSTO confirmed Russian paratroopers were being dispatched as peacekeepers, with advance units already deployed," BBC reports Thursday.
This photo from Kazakhstan resembles the second day of the "Syrian Revolution" when the "peaceful protesters" burned down the palace of justice in Daraa. pic.twitter.com/qcLDWzYnrJ
— Kevork Almassian🇸🇾🇦🇲 (@KevorkAlmassian) January 6, 2022
Scenes from Almaty and other city streets in Kazakhstan are beginning to resemble a war zone, with state military forces seen in central squares, including armored personnel carriers, the day following embattled President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev vowed the state would not fall, and that he would stay at his post no matter what.
Widely circulating but unverified social media videos show running street battles with security forces, as police appear to be unleashing live fire, and as some unconfirmed footage seems to show rioters breaching police armories to access weapons.
Machine guns at work in Almaty, Kazakhstan where several footages of looting are also making rounds pic.twitter.com/DXweaIY9bO
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 5, 2022
Unverified footage: state sources are alleging rioters have breached...