Kazakh President Dismisses Defense Minister After Drill Deaths

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed his defense minister after 14 military personnel died during exercises in the Caspian Sea.

Dauren Kosanov was relieved of his duties and Aidos Myrzakhmetov was appointed as his replacement, according to two presidential decrees. Before this role, Myrzakhmetov was the commander of special operations forces.

The reshuffle follows the deaths of military personnel. Seventeen people were swept out to sea during exercises on Sept. 24 due to a sudden and drastic deterioration in weather conditions. Three of them were rescued, while 14 lost their lives, the defense ministry said the following day, when search operations were completed. Friday was declared a national day of mourning in Kazakhstan.