Deadly Attacks on Synagogues and Churches in Dagestan Leave Nine Dead, 25 Injured

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In a series of violent and coordinated assaults, gunmen attacked multiple religious sites and a police checkpoint in Russia’s Dagestan province, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and injuring 25 others. These brutal incidents unfolded in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, situated approximately 120 kilometers apart, with the attackers targeting churches, synagogues, and law enforcement officers.

 

 

The carnage began with attacks on places of worship. Among the deceased are seven law enforcement officers, a priest, and a church security guard. Additionally, four militants were killed in confrontations with security forces, according to the Russian news agency TASS. One particularly tragic incident involved Father Nikolay, a 66-year-old priest in Derbent, who was brutally slain in his church. Shamil Khadulaev, Chairman of the Dagestan Public Monitoring Commission, disclosed that Father Nikolay had his throat slit and that a security guard armed only with a pistol was shot dead in the same attack.

 

A coordinated terrorist attack in Dagestan, Russia. This video shows their faces. A Synagogue, an Orthodox church, and Police were hit. Terrorists slit the throat of a 66-year old Orthodox priest Mykola in Derbent.

 

In another harrowing scene, a shootout at a church in Makhachkala forced 19 people to lock themselves inside for safety. The clash ended with the death of at least one attacker, as reported by TASS, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Dagestan. The head of the "Dagestan Lights" police department, Mavludin Khidirnabiev, was among the law enforcement officers who lost their lives during these violent encounters.

 

The attacks extended to synagogues, further heightening the sense of horror. In Derbent, a synagogue was set ablaze, with images showing flames and thick smoke engulfing the building. Meanwhile, another synagogue in Makhachkala came under gunfire. According to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, these assaults were part of a “combined attack” on the synagogues. The statement confirmed that the Derbent synagogue was burned to the ground and local guards were killed, but fortunately, there were no worshippers inside the synagogues during the attacks, and no casualties were reported from the Jewish community.

 

Reacting to the violence, Sergey Melikov, the head of the Dagestan Republic, issued a message on Telegram, asserting that “unknown persons made attempts to destabilize the social situation.” He praised the efforts of Dagestan police officers who intervened, despite suffering casualties. Melikov reassured the public that the attackers' identities are being determined, and a counteroperation plan, code-named “Interception,” is in progress. He urged residents to remain calm, emphasizing that “Panic and fear are what they were counting on ... They won’t get this from Dagestanis!”

 

The Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Republic of Dagestan has launched a terror investigation under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The committee stated, “All the circumstances of the incident and the persons involved in the terrorist attacks are being established, and their actions will be given a legal assessment.”

 

These tragic events have cast a shadow over Dagestan, a region already fraught with socio-political challenges. The coordinated nature of the attacks suggests a deliberate attempt to incite fear and chaos, but the resilience and swift response of local authorities highlight their determination to maintain stability and bring the perpetrators to justice. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on healing the wounds inflicted by this senseless violence and preventing future atrocities.

 

Credit: CNN | X 2024-06-24

 

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[Skipalongcassidy]

Those russians are such peace loving people... aren't they???

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It could be that Islamic militants are taking advantage of the Russian focus on Ukraine. It's dubious that Russia has enough additional resources now to do to Dagestan what it did to its neighbor, Chechnya.

[Jingthing]

Putin will blame Ukraine as he did for Crocus.

Sorted.

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9 hours ago, placeholder said:

It could be that Islamic militants are taking advantage of the Russian focus on Ukraine. It's dubious that Russia has enough additional resources now to do to Dagestan what it did to its neighbor, Chechnya.

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https://archive.ph/SCrSq#selection-4447.0-4451.175