Unrest in Kazakhstan and the deployment of Collective Security Treaty Organization peacekeepers
(02.01.2022-DD.01.2022)
On 02.01.2022, demonstrations began in the city of Zhanaozen1), Kazakhstan's center of the oil industry, in response to a spike in the price of LPG, the most widely used fuel in Kazakhstan's automobile transport. The spike to about 120 tenge was triggered by the expiry of price controls introduced by the government in response to the energy crisis in the second half of 2021 for a limited time.
Demonstrators blocking roads demanded local authorities stabilize prices and prevent fuel shortages.
In the following day, attempts to organize protests were also made in several other cities, including the capital Nur-Sultan and the largest city Almaty. In most cases, security forces intervened before the demonstrations had a chance to grow and detained several dozen people. Perhaps the only exception was the Mangystau region - specifically the towns of Zhanaozen and Aktau. In Zhanaozen, several hundred demonstrators occupied the local square on the night of 2-3 January, and were joined by hundreds more throughout the day, unhindered by the security forces deployed around the square. Negotiations between the demonstrators and local officials and the management of the gas distribution company were unsuccessful, as the price cuts proposed by the demonstrators were considered insufficient by the demonstrators. In response, the crowd began to demand the recall and direct election of the regional leaders, in addition to a reduction in fuel prices. Also in Aktau, demonstrators set up a tent camp in the square in front of the municipal administration building and by the evening around 6,000 people had gathered there, many of them from neighbouring regions. Representatives of the demonstrators were met by representatives of the region, who informed them that a commission had been formed to investigate the circumstances of the price hikes, with suspicions of a cartel agreement between suppliers. Here, too, demonstrators began to demand the resignation of the government in addition to a reduction in gas prices.
President Kasym-Zomart Tokayev ordered the government to consider the demonstrators' demands in the light of economic feasibility. A commission was set up to propose an acceptable solution to the situation. He also called on the demonstrators not to disturb public order and to try to express their views in accordance with the law.
The situation in Almaty escalated 04.01.2022 when about 1,000 people gathered for a rally in the city centre and police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse them. In response to the ongoing demonstrations, the president declared a state of emergency in Almaty and the Mangystau region, effective from 01:30 on 05.01.2022 until 19.01.2022. In addition, government authorities have begun to impose restrictions on internet services in some regions to make it more difficult to organize protests. Nevertheless, the protests are spreading to other major cities, where protesters are also demanding the resignation of the government, but also the restart of the internet. Demonstrators in Zhanaozen are demanding that President Kasym-Zomart Tokayev begin talks with them in person. In Almatz itself, security forces set up roadblocks on the main streets and strictly regulated access to Republic Square, where the opposition wanted to hold a demonstration.
A 05.01.2022 breakthrough occurred when security cordons were broken during protests in various parts of the country and demonstrators took control of state buildings or looted commercial establishments. In Almaty, intervening police forces near the city hall building are outnumbered by demonstrators and retreat. The crowd physically assaults the police, seizing their equipment and weaponry, and many officers flee in panic. The demonstrators occupy the town hall building, with black smoke billowing over it. The police gather around the residence of the head of state, which is a few dozen metres from the town hall, but the demonstrators push them out from there and occupy that building as well. The city prosecutor's office and the local branch of the ruling Nur-Otan party are also in flames. Shooting is taking place in the surrounding area and banks, shops and restaurants are also being targeted. Demonstrations are also taking place around Almaty International Airport, with government officials saying that demonstrators are even seizing several aircraft, resulting in a brief disruption of operations. Two members of the Kazakh army are killed while trying to gain control of the airport. Armed assailants also storm the local office of the Mir-24 TV channel, where they destroy a room used to secure satellite transmissions and a journalists' workplace. In two other cities in the south of the country (Shymkent and Taraz), demonstrators are also attempting to force their way into government buildings. Elsewhere in the country, police are using water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Statues of former President Nazarbayev are also being targeted by demonstrators, for example in the town of Taldykorgan, which are being torn down by mobs shouting 'Old man go away'.
According to government officials, aggressive attacks by demonstrators this de+n have claimed the lives of at least 8 members of the security forces and 317 have sustained various injuries. The Kazakh government submits its resignation, which is accepted by the President, the state of emergency with a curfew from 23:00 to 07:00 is extended to the whole country and telephone and internet connections are cut.
In his speech, the President blamed the escalation of violence on terrorists from abroad and announced that he had requested military assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). At the same time, he dismissed the former President as Chairman of the Security Council. The President threatened a crackdown on demonstrators.
On 06.01.2022 morning, Russian airborne troops under the banner of the OZKB peacekeeping force begin to move into Kazakhstan. Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have also confirmed the deployment of their troops. Dozens of Il-76MD, Il-76MD-M and Il-76MD-90A aircraft, supplemented by several An-124, are transporting troops and equipment to and from Kazakhstan, taking evacuated citizens of the intervening states (mostly Russian). Meanwhile, Kazakh security forces, supported by armoured vehicles, are launching an operation to gain control of objects occupied by demonstrators. Shots are fired in the streets of the cities, the security forces report 12 more casualties from their ranks (including one (two?) who was to be beheaded) and 748 more police and National Guard members are registered as wounded. Over the course of the day, according to official figures, more than 2,200 people are detained, more than 400 are injured and several dozen are killed. However, security forces did not intervene against demonstrators in Zhanaozen (about 6,000 people) or against a similarly large demonstration in Aktau. Representatives of states that have sent troops to Kazakhstan have said that their forces will not be deployed to restore order, but solely to protect key infrastructure facilities. One of the first objects that the Peacekeepers have taken under their protection is the Almaty International Airport. In the following days, the Russian Ministry of Defense is posting videos on YouTube showing the transfer of the OZKB Peacekeeping Forces and their deployment in the country to protect airports, local administration bodies, and telecommunication facilities.
Peaceful protests in Zhanaozen and Aktau have continued 07.01.2022 as well as efforts by security forces to quell demonstrations in other areas of the country. These demonstrators are being labelled as bandits and terrorists and security forces have been given permission to shoot without warning. Despite this, security forces from Almaty report 7 more casualties from their ranks. Israel confirmed the death of its citizen, a long-term resident of Kazakhstan, who was shot dead in his car while driving to work. The government is renewing the capping of LPG prices for another 6 months (at 50 tenge) as a concession to the protesters. Former President Nursultan Nazarbayev leaves the country with his daughters and their families.
Protests 08.01.2022 continue in Zhanaozen, but the situation is slowly calming down in the rest of the country. Security forces have detained more than 4,400 people in the past few days and at least 40 people have been killed. But this number is not final and has been further refined in the coming days. Former Prime Minister Karim Massimov has been detained and is facing treason charges. A government commission begins investigating a suspected cartel of LNG dealers.
The anti-terrorist operation (as the government calls it) continues on 09.01.2022, and the estimated amount of damage and more precise numbers of detainees and casualties are released by the security forces. The damage to property is close to 175 million euros. During the riots, more than 100 shops and banks were attacked or directly looted, and around 400 vehicles were destroyed (I do not know whether this figure includes the vehicles of the security forces, as at least 50 police cars were burnt down on the first day of the riots alone). In 125 different incidents, 164 people, including two children, died, with 103 deaths in Almaty alone. More than 2,200 civilians were treated in hospitals for injuries that may have been inflicted during the protests, with another 1,300 or so treated by members of the security forces.
On 10.01.2022 a state of mourning was declared for the victims of the protests. The situation in the country is under control, according to the assessment of the intelligence services. Official sources are beginning to describe the demonstrations as a coup attempt, claiming that Islamic radicals trained abroad were among the attackers on government buildings and security forces. A total of 7,939 people have been detained, including foreign nationals2). Internet connectivity has been restored in the country. The former deputy interior minister from 2017-2019 and active police chief of the Zhambyl region, General Zhanat Suleymanov, committed suicide. According to some Kazakh media, a criminal prosecution has been opened against him in connection with the protests.
On 11.01.2022, the Interior Ministry updated the total number of people detained in connection with the unrest to more than 9,900. At the same time, it was officially announced that order has been restored in the country and the protests have come to an end. In this context, the President of Kazakhstan also announced the end of the operation of the OZKB forces, adding that their withdrawal will begin 13.01.2022 and should be completed within 10 days.
On 15.01.2022, the Office of the Prosecutor General announced the total death toll from the riots - 19 members of the security forces and 206 citizens.
1) The city of Zhanaozen itself has been the center of demonstrations in the past. On 16 December 2011, between 16 and 17 people were killed by gunfire from intervening members of the police force during the repression of a demonstration by oil company employees demanding higher wages. A state of emergency with curfew was declared in the city until 31.01.2012. At that time, 4 officers in charge of the intervening police units were charged with dereliction of duty and abuse of authority for the crackdown on demonstrators. However, the armed intervention itself was assessed by the Kazakh prosecutor's office as lawful, as the police intervened against those who were committing violence.
2) although they have a bit harder time proving that radicalism, as evidenced by this article on idnes.cz