The military of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, who took part in the CSTO peacekeeping mission, left Kazakhstan, RIA Novosti writes.
“Units of the armed forces of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from the collective peacekeeping forces of the CSTO, which performed the tasks of protecting socially significant objects in the Republic of Kazakhstan, arrived at the points of permanent deployment,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Protest actions in Kazakhstan began in the first days of January. Residents of some cities went to rallies, demanding lower prices for petroleum gas. After the authorities announced their readiness to comply with the demands of the protesters and reduce fuel prices, the protests did not stop, but continued with renewed vigor in other cities of the country.
By decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council on January 6, a peacekeeping contingent of the organization was sent to Kazakhstan to help resolve the situation. The group included units of the armed forces of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, said that the protests are an act of external aggression, since the organizers of the rallies were seriously trained abroad.