Kazakhstan Calls On Russian Allies To Quell National Unrest Following State Of Emergency Declaration

Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency Thursday after protests turned into violent riots across the country. Civil unrest broke out across major cities in Kazakhstan on Wednesday following a sharp increase in national fuel prices.

Thousands of protesters attacked government buildings and public infrastructures in three major cities, forcing the nation's government to resign. An airport in the nation's largest city of Almaty was also reportedly breached by demonstrators, leading to an evacuation of employees and passengers. Local media reports said that protesters used rocks and Molotov cocktails to attack government buildings, including the President's residence and the office of Almaty's mayor.

The state-run news agency, Khabar 24, said a state of emergency had been declared through January 19. Under the declaration, public movement will be restricted.

Unrest erupted across the nation after the government abolished price limitations on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at the start of the year. Many Kazakhs have adapted their automobiles to operate on the type of fuel because of its inexpensive cost.

During the demonstrations, Prime Minister Askar Mamin resigned, and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev summoned a meeting to discuss ways to address the situation. Tokayev said in a national television address that he will take control of the country's Security Council.

In a second televised speech, the Kazakh President requested support from a military alliance formed of post-Soviet republics. The call came after demonstrators, deemed by Tokayev as "terrorists," took over Almaty airport and hijacked five planes. Violent clashes between demonstrators and government troops have also been reported outside the city.

Tokayev called on the chiefs of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which comprises Russia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan. Tokayev claimed that several government facilities had been destroyed. He also alleged that many protesters may have undergone military training overseas.

At least eight police officers and national guard troops had been killed in the riots in different parts of the country, a report from Kazakhstan local newspaper Tengrinews claimed. The Ministry of Internal Affairs' press agency said that at least 317 policemen and soldiers had been injured in the chaos.

In addition to government regulation of fuel prices for 180 days, a moratorium on increasing utility tariffs for the population for the same period and consideration of rent subsidies for the vulnerable has been put in place. To further appease the masses, Tokayev announced that the government has decided to reduce the price of LPG to "ensure stability in the country."