Russian media reports say Tajikistan is expected to send about 200 peacekeepers to Kazakhstan.

Citing a source within Tajikistan’s power-wielding structures, RIA Novosti says “all the servicemen are member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)’s peacekeeping contingent and have repeatedly participated in the CSTO anti-terrorist exercises both in Tajikistan and other member nations of the Organization.”  

All of them are ready to fulfill their responsibilities on maintaining law and order and protecting the facilities entrusted to them, the source said, adding that Tajik peacekeeping contingent will be send to Kazakhstan Thursday evening. 

RIA Novosti had earlier reported the CSTO already sent peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan today morning.

The CSTO Secretariat said their task is to protect government and military facilities and provide assistance to the law enforcement agencies.    

It is to be noted that is the first time in the Organization’s 30-year history that it has agreed to deploy military forces to support an ally. 

On October 6, 2007, CSTO members agreed to a major expansion of the organization to create a CSTO peacekeeping force that could be deployed under a U.N. mandate or without one in its member states.

On December 10, 2010, the member states approved a declaration establishing a CSTO peacekeeping force and a declaration of the CSTO member states, in addition to signing a package of joint documents.

Created in 1992, the Collective Security Treaty Organization is a Russia-led military alliance grouping the six former Soviet republics of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.