Kazakhstan Appoints Aitkurman Omarbekov as Chief of General Staff

Astana, The Gulf Observer: President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed Aitkurman Omarbekov as First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.

The appointment was made by presidential decree, according to the Akorda press service, as reported by Qazinform. Omarbekov was relieved of his previous position following his appointment.

Born in 1977 in the Abai region, Omarbekov graduated from the Military University of the Russian Ministry of Defense with a specialization in moral and psychological support. He also holds a law degree from the Eurasian Humanities Institute.

Omarbekov served in Kazakhstan’s Republican Guard from 1997 to 2014 before joining the State Security Service, where he held various officer and senior positions between 2014 and 2022.

In January 2022, he was appointed Acting Deputy Head of the State Security Service and Commander of the Special Purpose Forces, assuming the positions on a permanent basis the following month.

He was awarded the rank of Major General of the State Security Service of Kazakhstan in October 2022.

Omarbekov has received several state and service distinctions, including the Order of Aibyn (Valor), 2nd Degree, the Minsiz Kyzmeti Ushin (For Impeccable Service) medals of the 2nd and 3rd classes, and the Elbasynyn Kauipsizdigin Aibyndy Atkargany Ushin medal, 3rd Class. He has also been awarded commemorative medals marking the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s State Security Service and the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The appointment comes amid ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan’s defense sector following recent changes in senior military leadership and President Tokayev’s directives to strengthen the country’s defense capability, combat readiness, military administration and service safety.