Kazakhstan's Tokayev appoints Aitkurman Omarbekov as armed forces General Staff chief
In short
Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Aitkurman Omarbekov as head of the General Staff of the country's armed forces, TASS and RIA Novosti reported. Kommersant said the post is first deputy defence minister and that the appointment follows the deaths of servicemen during exercises and a series of dismissals in the defence leadership. Omarbekov previously served as deputy head of the State Security Service and commander of the special operations forces, Kommersant reported.
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Kazakhstan's president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Aitkurman Omarbekov as head of the General Staff of the country's armed forces, TASS and RIA Novosti reported on 5 October. Kommersant reported that the post is that of first deputy defence minister and that Omarbekov previously served as deputy head of the State Security Service and commander of the special operations forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The appointment came after a series of removals in the defence leadership. Kommersant reported that on 3 October Tokayev dismissed General Staff chief Kanysh Abubakirov, Navy commander Kanat Niyazbekov and deputy defence minister Almaz Dzhumakeev, and that defence minister Dauran Kosanov had been dismissed earlier and replaced by Aidos Myrzakhmetov. [ 3 ]
According to Kommersant, on 24 September, during the «Khazar Korgany — 2026» manoeuvres, 17 servicemen were swept into the sea while disembarking from the boat «Kaisar»; only three were rescued and the rest died. A criminal case was opened, and the defence ministry said the deaths were caused by a sudden and sharp deterioration in the weather. Security services detained several employees of the ministry, the outlet reported. [ 3 ]
Kommersant said the appointment was made against the backdrop of presidential instructions to restructure the management of the army. It reported that Tokayev ordered a significant increase in the efficiency of budget spending and the introduction of transparent criteria for assessing and selecting personnel, and that the reform also includes stronger ideological and educational work among servicemen. [ 3 ]
TASS and RIA Novosti reported only the appointment itself, naming Tokayev and Omarbekov and the post, and did not mention the September deaths, the dismissals or the reasons for the change. None of the documents says where the appointment was announced or gives further detail on the investigation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The appointment follows the replacement of the defence minister and the dismissal of several senior commanders, so it is part of a reshuffle of Kazakhstan's military leadership. Kommersant reported that the president has ordered a wider overhaul covering budget spending, personnel selection and ideological work among servicemen, which, if carried out, would change how the armed forces are managed and staffed. The documents give no indication of how the change will affect Kazakhstan's external relations.
Key facts
- President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev appointed Aitkurman Omarbekov as head of the General Staff of Kazakhstan's armed forces; Kommersant reported the post is first deputy defence minister. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Before the appointment, Omarbekov was deputy head of the State Security Service and commander of the special operations forces. [ 3 ]
- On 3 October, Tokayev dismissed General Staff chief Kanysh Abubakirov, Navy commander Kanat Niyazbekov and deputy defence minister Almaz Dzhumakeev, according to Kommersant. [ 3 ]
- Defence minister Dauran Kosanov had earlier been dismissed and replaced by Aidos Myrzakhmetov, Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
- On 24 September, during the «Khazar Korgany — 2026» manoeuvres, 17 servicemen were swept into the sea from the boat «Kaisar»; three were rescued and the rest died, and a criminal case was opened. [ 3 ]
- The defence ministry said the deaths were caused by a sudden and sharp deterioration in the weather, and security services detained several employees of the ministry, according to Kommersant. [ 3 ]
- Tokayev instructed that budget resources be used more efficiently and that transparent criteria for evaluating and selecting personnel be introduced, with the reform also covering ideological and educational work with servicemen. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the appointment is directly connected to the deaths of servicemen on 24 September. Only Kommersant places the appointment against the backdrop of the incident and the president's instructions; TASS and RIA Novosti report the appointment without mentioning the deaths, the dismissals or any reason.
- The status of the criminal case and of the detained defence ministry employees. Kommersant says a case was opened and several ministry employees were detained but gives no further details on charges, numbers or outcomes.
- The cause of the deaths beyond the defence ministry's account. Kommersant attributes the explanation of sudden, sharp weather deterioration to the defence ministry; no investigation finding is reported.
- Where the appointment was made or announced. None of the documents names a city.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- During the «Khazar Korgany — 2026» manoeuvres, 17 servicemen are swept into the sea from the boat «Kaisar»; three are rescued and the others die, and a criminal case is opened. [ 3 ]
- Tokayev dismisses General Staff chief Kanysh Abubakirov, Navy commander Kanat Niyazbekov and deputy defence minister Almaz Dzhumakeev. [ 3 ]
- TASS reports that Tokayev appointed Aitkurman Omarbekov as head of the General Staff of Kazakhstan's armed forces. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the same appointment. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports the appointment, saying the post is first deputy defence minister and linking it to the September deaths and the president's army reform instructions. [ 3 ]