Dear friends

Today I am driving all day, but since there is a very serious color revolution that seems to be taking place in Kazakhstan,  I am therefore creating an open thread.  Please feel free to share any decent information and commentaries below.  According to Russian sources, the usual US-controlled disinformation resources (including Ukie ones!) are out in full force to support the insurrection.  The levels of violence are very high, even ambulances are attacked, cops are beaten up, disarmed, undressed, and humiliated, weapons stores have been emptied.  The Internet has been disconnected, as has power in many parts of Almaty and Nursultan.  This is a repeat of what the US tried in Belarus and in Kyrgyzstan, and the next couple of days will be crucial.  Many government buildings have been seized and burned, some have been re-taken by the authorities.  Law and order have broken down and groups of thugs are controlling the streets in many locations.  There are reports of organized armed groups engaging in firefights with police, security, and military forces.  One source reports that Kazakh Airborne Forces are also engaged.  There are also reports of Takfiri elements using these riots (officially triggered by an increase in the cost of gas).

Official sources report 8 dead and 317 wounded among the police forces.  The authorities lost control over several cities (including Alma-Ata) and 3 airports (part of which were torched). Astana and Pavlodar remain under the control of authorities.

President Tokaev has mentioned that he might request the assistance of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.  So far the offices of the CSTO say that they have received no such official request.

Martial law has been decreed for the entire country.

These events are a direct threat to both Russia and China.  Turkey seems to be pushing its pan-Turkic agenda.  The CIA supported Uighur Takfiris also seemed to be involved.  This is all taken straight out of the CIA playbook: Twitter, Telegram channels (including NEXTA), Soros-funded organizations, etc. are all deeply involved (including Ukie PSYOPs units).

It is absolutely crucial for the Kazakh authorities to restore law and order ASAP.  Will they have the needed resolve and resources? I don’t know.  Opinions?

Kind regards

Andrei

UPDATE: it appears that President Tokaev has claimed that his country was under foreign intervention and has requested the aid of the CSTO.  You can click here for machine-translated news from Sputnik Kazakstan.