Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said he had appealed to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for help in quelling protests across the country that he said were led by "terrorist gangs".

"Today I appealed to the heads of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) states to assist Kazakhstan in overcoming this terrorist threat," Tokayev said on state television early Thursday. 

"In fact, this is no longer a threat," he added. "It is undermining the integrity of the state."

Tokayev stressed that “terrorist groups which received extensive training abroad" are "currently rampaging" across the country.

"They are seizing buildings and infrastructure and, most importantly, are seizing the premises where small arms are located," he said.

Kazakhstan's President added that they had also seized five planes at the airport in the country's biggest city Almaty.

"There's currently a battle ongoing near Almaty with the air forces of the defense ministry, a stubborn battle," Tokayev stated.

Furthermore, Kazakh media outlets reported that at least eight police officers and military servicemen were killed in the unrest.

How did the world react?

Moscow called for a "peaceful solution... through dialogue, not through street riots and violation of laws."

"We are closely following the events in the brotherly neighboring country," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 

"We support a peaceful solution to all problems within the legal and constitutional framework and through dialogue, not through street riots and violation of laws," it added.

The European Union and the United Nations called for "restraint" from all sides.

In light of the ongoing protests in Kazakhstan, the EU is following closely developments. All concerned must act with responsibility and restraint and refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation of violence. Read the full statement 👉 https://t.co/sB3nDarrw9

— Nabila Massrali (@NabilaEUspox) January 5, 2022

Furthermore, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claimed that the United States has nothing to do with the unrest, calling accusations to the contrary “crazy claims". 

“We’re monitoring reports of protests in Kazakhstan. We support calls for calm, for protesters to express themselves peacefully and for authorities to exercise restraint,” Psaki told reporters during her regular briefing. 

“There are some crazy claims about the US being behind this. Let me just use this opportunity to convey that as absolutely false, and clearly a part of the standard disinformation playbook.”

What is happening?

Clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators resumed in the city center of Almaty in Kazakhstan on 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 the developments. 

Some 190 have been reported injured in the clashes.

Declaring a state of emergency

On Tuesday, Tokayev signed into law a decree declaring a state of emergency in the west of the country and Almaty, the country's largest city, in light of demonstrations over surging liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades in a bid to break up the thousands-strong protest in Almaty on Tuesday night. The police later opened fire after the protesters, estimated to be 5,000, refused to disperse.

In an effort to thwart protests following a hike in oil prices, the Kazakhstani President dismissed the country's cabinet on Wednesday.

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