Kazakhstan asks for help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization to end the unrest

Nur-Sultan, Jan. 5 (EFE). The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym Yumart Tokayev, today asked for help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of six former Soviet republics, including Russia, to end the massive unrest which he called a “terror threat”.

“Today I addressed the CSTO member states and asked them to help Kazakhstan defeat this terrorist threat,” the Kazakh leader declared in a message to the nation broadcast by the state-run Jabbar 24 channel.

The president noted that the “terrorist gangs” who carried out the riots on Wednesday in several Kazakh cities, especially in Almaty, where the demonstrators seized many government buildings, including the mayor’s office, the president’s residence and the airport, had a great preparation.

“We must and should view this attack on Kazakhstan as an act of aggression,” he said, noting that it is a situation that calls for assistance from the coalition.

Tokayev noted that “terrorist gangs seized important infrastructure facilities, in particular Almaty airport, with five planes, including foreign planes.”

The president indicated that he is leading the anti-terrorist apparatus that was formed to alleviate the situation, denouncing the demonstrators’ raiding of firearms storage places.

Tokayev noted that units of the Kazakh Air Force have already started an anti-terror operation to liberate the airport.

“I address the citizens of Kazakhstan, whether they are residents of the capital, Almaty or other cities who are victims of terrorist aggression. I assure you that as president I will do everything to protect your interests, and I believe that together we will win. “

After Tokayev’s offer, the airport authorities reported that the airport was released thanks to a special operation.

According to eyewitnesses cited by local agencies, the Almaty airport was destroyed, the windows of cafes and shops were smashed, ATMs were looted, and many cars burned in the parking lot.

Several CSTO member states immediately responded to Nur-Sultan’s request.

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, reported through his Facebook account that he had held consultations with other leaders of the member states of the coalition, including Tokayev. EFE

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