Kazakh capital under full control, traffic resumes

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The Kazakh military police announced that Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, was "under full control" of national security forces early on Sunday and denied media reports about an incoming incursion by the Taliban.

"Fake news: 2,000 Taliban fighters are coming to Nur-Sultan. This information is not true. Do not fall to provocations and panic-mongering," the police said.

According to the commandant of the Almaty region on Saturday, all facilities and infrastructure in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan are operating regularly and as per usual. 

"At the moment the situation is under control. All vital facilities are working normally," he said in a statement posted by the operational headquarters on Telegram. 

In parallel, the message says that the counter-terrorism operation in the area is ongoing. 

Kazakh Health Ministry denies Almaty military bio-lab seizure

Moreover, Kazakhstan's Health Ministry denied on Sunday losing control of the Central Reference Laboratory, a military biological lab near Almaty.

"It is not true. The facility is being guarded," the ministry said in reference to social media reports claiming gunmen had seized the lab, causing a leak of dangerous pathogens.

What happened?

On Wednesday, confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators resumed in the city center of Almaty in Kazakhstan Wednesday, according to Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in Moscow.

He added that confrontations have spread to other regions in western Kazakhstan, noting that Moscow has expressed concern regarding the events in Kazakhstan and is closely monitoring developments. 

Protestors have broken into the Mayor's office and gunshots were heard in the vicinity. 

Fire and smoke were seen through the windows on the first floor of the building. Some 190 have been reported injured in the clashes.

Sputnik news agency reported that several policemen were beaten after being detained by protesters.