What it is about
The Islamist militant attacks on religious sites in Russia’s predominantly Muslim region of Dagestan have left 20 people dead and 46 injured. Coordinated assaults targeted churches and synagogues in both Makhachkala and Derbent, two key cities in the region. Among the fatalities was an Orthodox priest, illustrating the severe threat faced by religious minorities in the area.
Why it matters
The attacks shed light on the persistent and growing risk of militant Islamism in the North Caucasus region. With a history of such violence, these latest assaults threaten to exacerbate communal tensions and may draw further scrutiny from the international community, including heightened concern from Israel, given the targeting of Jewish synagogues.
The Details
Gunmen with automatic weapons entered an Orthodox church and a synagogue in Derbent, killing a 66-year-old Orthodox priest Nikolai Kotelnikov, and setting fire to an icon at the church. In nearby Makhachkala, attackers ambushed a traffic police post and targeted another church and synagogue, leading to violent battles and heavy automatic gunfire.
Footage shows panicked residents seeking refuge as plumes of smoke dominate the city skyline, underscoring the fear incited by these appalling acts of terror.
Impact on Jewish Community
Israel swiftly condemned the attacks, particularly noting the arson at the Derbent synagogue and gunfire at the Makhachkala synagogue. Both cities have Jewish communities with deep historical roots, and such violence poses an immediate and pressing danger to these communities.
Authorities’ Response
Sergei Melikov, the head of the Dagestan region, labeled the incident a day of tragedy for the entire nation. He pointed to Islamic sleeper cells directed from abroad but refrained from providing detailed evidence. Melikov’s comments indicate a belief that the attack also aimed to destabilize regional unity, potentially linked to Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine.
Broader Context
The attacks echo the deadly Moscow theater massacre claimed by the Islamic State group in March and are reminiscent of unrest seen last October, when rioters in Dagestan’s airport targeted flight arrivals from Tel Aviv. These incidents highlight the vulnerability of Jewish and Christian communities amidst intensifying Islamist extremism.
Dagestan has declared three days of mourning, with flags at half-mast and cancellations of entertainment events, reflecting the profound impact and sorrow experienced by the region.
Unified Condemnation
There has been an outpouring of solidarious sentiment for the impacted communities, both domestically and internationally. This attack serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved tensions in the region and the need to safeguard religious communities from such barbarous acts of terrorism.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.