Kazakhstan: Fresh gunfire heard in Almaty as deadly unrest continues
Summary
- Fresh gunfire was heard in Kazakhstan’s economic capital Almaty on Thursday afternoon, reported AFP, as violence continues to rock the Central Asian country.
- Azirbek said an “anti-terrorist” operation was underway in one of the districts of Almaty where the riots were most violent.
- Some of the cities in Kazakhstan where protests have been taking place.
- Following the government’s dismissal, Deputy prime minister Alikhan Smailov is to assume the role of interim prime minister until a new cabinet is formed.
- Kazakhstan is of crucial importance to Russia as an economic partner and the former president is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.