Rebels clarify Russian Propaganda

Chechen rebels have denied reports that 17 of their fighters including their Commandar Doku Umarov, had been killed in a Russian airstrike.

Speaking to the rebel alligned Kavkaz News Agency, a spokesperson said that only 6 rebels had been killed in the airstrike while 2 rebels along with 2 Russian Secret Service members, one police officer and one soldier had been killed in gun battles in the nearby town of Upper Alkun.

This is the eighth time that Russian Security Forces have claimed to have killed Doku Umarov. Kavkaz however reported that the leader, who is one of the most wanted people on the planet, was safe and well. Reports that his wife had been killed were also denied by the rebel command who said that she continues to command the Martyr Brigade Riyad-us-Saliheen. They did confirm however that one of the dead fighters was a female.

Rebel sources also confirmed the death of long time fighter Emir Supyan (pictured). Supyan had been an active fighter for the last 17 years and had taken part in both the first and second Chechen wars along with the four sieges and battles for Grozny. Rebels described his death as a great loss.

Chechen Commander appeals for new recruits

Chechen Rebel Commander and self-proclaimed underground President of the Chechen Republic, Doku Umarov, has called for more recruits to help drive the Russian Military from the northern Caucasus.

In a video which was released by the Kavkaz Center, Doku Umarov urges young people to join with his forces in the Caucasus Mountains. He also called on existing rebel units in Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria to "intesify operations to eliminate our enemies". He went on to say that rebel attacks would increase as the harsh Caucasian Winter came to an end.

The northern Caucasus has seen an increase in fighting between rebels and pro-Government forces in recent years, with violence in areas like Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria surpassing that of Chechnya. Describing the situation, Umarov said:

"Today there is a total war going on. It is not us who had declared it on Russia, it was Russia who declared it on us. When there is a total war, there are not peaceful people left. If total war has been declare on us, then Allah permits us to fight with them as they fight with us.

Therefore, today we have the right to fight against them the way they are fighting against us. I urge you, fight with them, destroy them."

Rebels launch assault on city - 12 Russian Troops wounded

 
A large contingent of rebel fighters have launched a raid on the city of Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria in the northern Caucusus.

According to Russian media, at least 10 groups of rebels, each consisting of about 5 fighters, hit Russian Army and Polcie targets across the city within the space of two hours.

Police and military installations across the city were raked with machine gun fire while others were hit with anti-tank rockets. The interior ministry has announced that 12 members of the security forces were wounded. Rebels have claimed that they killed a number of police officers and soldiers although Russian Security Forces have denied this. It is believed that the rebels used a number of hijacked vehciles to launch the attacks.

On the same night, two police installations in outlying towns, one located in the neighbouring province of Ingushetia, were bombed.

The head of security for the city, Arsen Kanakov, has described the incident as a "co-ordinated attack on the city intended to cause destabilization".

Rebel sources have said that the raid was carried out by 5 teams of fighters with a further 5 units providing backup. They also claimed that all of their fighters escaped without injury.

Russian Intelligence Agent wounded in Ingushetia

An officer of the Russian Federal Security (FSB) service has been wounded in Ingushetia.

The officer's car was fired upon as he approached the town of Nazran at around 8.30am. According to reports the wounded officer managed to speed away from the scene. He was later taken to a nearby hospital in Malgobek. He remains in a serious condition.

Bomb targets liquor store in Ingushetia

A shopkeeper has been wounded in a bomb attack in Ordzhonikidzevskaya in the Sunzha District of Ingushetia.

The bomb, which was disguised as a Christmas present, was left in a shop which sells wine and vodka as well as other grocery items. The device exploded when the shopkeeper attempted to take it out of his shop.

He is reported to have suffered injuries and is recovering at a local history.

Over 100 civilians killed in Caucasus conflict in 2010

Over 100 civilians died in the ongoing conflicts in the North Caucasus in 2010. These include victims of Russian Security Forces and separatist rebels. Chechnya and Dagestan have remained the most dangerous areas of the Caucasus while there has been a sharp increase in violence in neighbouring Kabardino-Balkaria.

Dagestan - In Dagestan at least 54 civilians died of conflict related deaths in 2010. These included a 9 year-old boy who was shot dead by a stray bullet fired by Security Forces on December 6th during a counter-terrorist operation. A number of those who were killed had been abducted and tortured before their bodies were found dumped in rural areas. The latest victim of such an incident was Zaur Alibekov who was kidnapped and murdered on December 12th. Russia was found guilty of murdering and dissappearing two brothers during the Second Chechen War.

Chechnya and Ingushetia - At least 30 civilians died conflict related deaths in Chechnya and neighbouring Ingushetia last year. In one incident in the town of Arshti on February 11th at least four civilians were killed and 14 wounded in counter-terrorist operations being conducted by Russian forces. It is particularly difficult to verify the number of civilians killed in Chechnya however, as relatives of alleged gunmen have frequently claimed that those killed were in fact civilians.

Kabardino-Balkaria - While little statistics exist for Kabardino-Balkaria there has been a sharp rise in attacks during the year.

Two dead in Ingushetia shootout

 At least two people are reported to have been killed in a shootout in the capital of Ingushetia today.

It is understood that a car carrying two separatist rebels was stopped at a police checkpoint in central Nazran this afternoon. According to witnesses, the individuals in the car drew their weapons and fired at the police officers, injuring two of them. Police are then reported to have returned fire, killing one of the rebels and wounding the other. It has also been reported that the editor of the "Serdalo" newspaper was wounded in the incident.

Local media has reported that one of the injured police officers later died in hospital.

Rebel offensive continues in Dagestan

A detachment of rebel fighters - active in both Dagestan and Chechnya

A large scale separatist offensive is continuing in Dagestan where a number of attacks against military and police units have taken place.

On Friday one police officer was killed and another was wounded in a gun attack in the capital Makhachkala. According to eyewitnesses, one rebel fighter was also killed in the exchange of fire. There has not been any confirmation from either side however Russian media sources have confirmed that one police officer was injured.

In a seperate incident, Russian Life media centre has reported that a Russian armoured patrol was attacked by rebels armed with grenade launchers in Nazran, capital of neighbouring Ingushetia. There are no reports of casualties on either side.

Late on Friday night, at least four police officers are reported to have been killed or wounded in a mobile attack in the village of Khasavyurt. It is reported that a unit of rebel fighters approached the village in a vehicle from which they opened fire on a police patrol. The Russian military has confirmed that one police officer was killed and two injured.

On Thursday night, a late-night Café in the Derbent district, which is frequented by police officers, was attacked by rebels using grenade launchers. There are no reports on casualties.

Liquor store bombed in Ingushetia

A liquor store has been destroyed in a bomb attack by rebels in Ingushetia.

The blast occurred a]t 3am in the town of Malgobek. The bomb contained around 8kg of TNT. There were no injuries.

The sale of liquor is strongly opposed by the Muslim community in the Caucasus as the consumption alcohol is strictly forbidden by the teachings of Islam

Russian police wounded in rebel bomb attack

Four Russian police officers have been wounded in a bomb attack in Ingushetia.

The homemade explosive devices exploded at around 12 noon outside a barracks in the town of Ordzhonikidzevskaya. Four police officers and a civilian were wounded in the bomb attack which is the latest in a series of attacks by rebels and militants in the North Caucuses which includes Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia.


Russia has promised a crackdown on rebel groups in the area.