Kazakhstan has appointed Aitkurman Omarbekov as First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

Following the appointment, Omarbekov was relieved of his previous position, according to Qazinform.

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

Omarbekov began his military career in Kazakhstan’s Republican Guard, where he served from 1997 to 2014. He then joined the State Security Service, holding various officer and senior positions between 2014 and 2022.

In January 2022, he became acting Deputy Head of the State Security Service and Commander of the Special Purpose Forces. He was formally appointed to the positions the following month.

In October 2022, Omarbekov was awarded the rank of Major General of Kazakhstan’s State Security Service.

His state honors include the Order of Aibyn (Valor), 2nd degree, as well as the Minsiz kyzmeti ushin (For Impeccable Service) medals of the 2nd and 3rd classes. He has also received the Elbasynyn kauipsizdigin aibyndy atkargany ushin medal, 3rd Class, along with commemorative medals marking the 25th anniversary of

Kazakhstan’s State Security Service and the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence.