Over 1,000 Injured and Dozens Dead in Kazakhstan Protests

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] In Almaty, the largest city and epicenter of the large-scale protests in Kazakhstan that erupted at the beginning of the year, clashes between armed protesters and security forces have intensified, causing a sharp increase in casualties.

According to TASS, RIA Novosti, Interfax, and other news agencies, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Health announced on the 6th (local time) that over 1,000 people have been injured in the violent protests, with 400 hospitalized and about 60 in critical condition. The ministry did not disclose the breakdown of casualties between protesters and security forces.

RIA Novosti reported on the same day, citing Almaty security authorities, that "13 security personnel were killed during the suppression of protests in Almaty, including 2 who were beheaded."

Earlier, Kazakhstan’s state-run Khabar24 TV reported that as of 1 p.m. on the 6th (local time), 353 security personnel were injured and 12 were killed by terrorists in Almaty, with one of the deceased having been beheaded.

Previously, it was reported that 8 police officers and soldiers who were involved in suppressing the protests had died. Reports on protester fatalities have also emerged for the first time.

An Almaty city police spokesperson said in an interview with Khabar24 on the morning of the same day, "Overnight, extremist forces (protesters) attempted attacks on city government offices, police stations, and police boxes, and dozens of attackers were neutralized," adding, "Identification of these individuals is underway."

He stated that counter-terrorism operations continue in areas with government offices and urged residents and visitors to the city to refrain from going out.

Local security authorities announced that counter-terrorism operations would begin in Almaty from early dawn on the same day.

AFP, citing local media, reported that "dozens of protesters were killed during the suppression, and police are verifying the identities of the deceased."

The confrontation between protesters, labeled as terrorists by authorities, and security forces continued through the day.

Khabar24 TV reported that some armed protesters have surrounded two hospitals in Almaty, blocking access for ordinary patients and medical staff.

The broadcast also stated that airports in Almaty, the southwestern city of Aktau, and the northwestern city of Aktobe have been closed, with only the capital Nur-Sultan’s airport operating normally.

Security forces recaptured Almaty airport, which had been controlled by protesters, late the previous night, but airport operations have not resumed.

Internet, social networking services (SNS), and messenger services have been cut off in Almaty and Astana, and international calls are reportedly disrupted.

All banks nationwide have also suspended operations.

Kazakhstan authorities claim that the protests are the work of terrorists trained abroad. Witnesses report that not only police and soldiers but also some protesters are armed with automatic rifles.

In Kazakhstan, public unrest caused by a sharp rise in gas prices has spread into nationwide protests against the government since the beginning of the year. The protests began on January 2 in Zhanaozen and Aktau in the southwestern Mangystau region and spread to major cities nationwide, including Almaty, the largest city in the southeast, two days later.

The Kazakhstan government declared a state of emergency nationwide and imposed a nighttime curfew. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a security alliance of former Soviet states led by Russia, dispatched peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan at the government's request.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, chair of the CSTO, announced on his Facebook page the previous day that CSTO peacekeeping forces would be deployed to Kazakhstan for a limited period at Kazakhstan’s request.

The CSTO peacekeeping forces dispatched to Kazakhstan on the 6th include soldiers from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Russia, which leads the CSTO, reportedly sent airborne troops.

The CSTO explained that the peacekeeping forces’ mission is to protect Kazakhstan’s important national and military facilities and support the restoration of order.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.