(VOVworld) - Ukraine’s parliament voted to end counter-terrorism operations in Ukraine and return all law enforcement units to their home stations on Thursday.

According to the opposition party Batkivshina, the parliament also ordered the immediate release of detainees. The Interior Ministry will stop blocking roads, bridges, and streets nationwide and the forces of the Defense Ministry will retreat to their bases.  

Protesters carry an injured comrade during a clash with riot police in Kiev

The parliament’s decision came one day after a national anti-terrorism operation was begun to cope with an escalating anti-government protest. The operation was based on an anti-protest law designed to maintain national security. Anti-government protesters including some extremists have caused with escalating violence targeting government security forces. According to the Ukrainian Health Ministry, at least 75 people have been killed in street clashes in Kiev since Tuesday. The opposition party says the death toll is more than 100 with more than 600 people injured in the last three days.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, foreign ministers of the European Union (EU), the US, and other Western countries agreed Thursday to impose sanctions against Ukraine, including freezing of asset, travel restrictions, and bans on exporting anti-riot equipment to Ukraine.