Violent anti-government protests are continuing in Kazakhstan over rising fuel prices. Despite being an oil-rich country, price caps were lifted on liquefied petroleum gas, causing prices to double.
Thousands of demonstrators have clashed with security forces across the country. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency after protesters stormed a major airport, seized government buildings, and set the president’s home on fire. Dozens of people are reported dead and several hundred others were injured in the violence.
Amid the chaos, the Kazakh Prime Minister and his cabinet submitted their resignations. The move prompted fears of a government collapse.
President Tokayey asked Russia, which neighbors Kazakhstan, to intervene and help restore peace to the nation.
On Wednesday, Russia deployed paramilitary troops to Kazakhstan as part of a ‘peace-keeping’ mission. International leaders worry Russia will use the crisis to invade the fragile, former-Soviet country.
“The United States and, frankly, the world will be watching for any violation of human rights,” State Department spokesman Ned Price warned.
The warning comes in addition to American threats of further sanctions against Russia if the country tries to invade Ukraine.
