Violent protests erupted in oil-rich Kazakhstan last week out of anger over soaring fuel prices. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appealed to foreign countries and asked, among others, Russia to send military personnel to quell the unrest among the population. The troops have now begun to withdraw. In total, more than 2000 troops of the military alliance CSTO were in Kazakhstan.
During the uprising, buildings were set on fire and shops looted. The president spoke of “aggression from terrorists and bandits.” Violent action was taken and approximately 10,000 people were said to have been arrested.