Unknown folks opened hearth on a synagogue within the coastal metropolis of Derbent on Sunday, after which a hearth broke out and utterly destroyed the constructing. An Orthodox church was additionally shot at and went up in flames. A 66-year-old priest was killed. Derbent, one of many southernmost cities in Russia, is situated on the west coast of the Caspian Sea. The town is on the UNESCO World Heritage Record.
On the similar time, a police station and one other church have been attacked within the regional capital Makhachkala, greater than 100 kilometers north. A synagogue was additionally set on hearth there, says the chairman of the Russian Council of Jewish Communities.
A complete of 19 folks have been killed in each assaults, the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed on Monday. “In line with preliminary knowledge, 15 legislation enforcement officers and 4 civilians, together with an Orthodox priest, have been killed,” the assertion stated. “5 attackers have been additionally liquidated” by safety forces through the anti-terror operation. It’s unclear whether or not there are different perpetrators on the run. (Learn extra under the picture)
A synagogue was set on hearth in Makhachkala. — © AP
Police automotive
A couple of hours after the assaults, one other officer was injured when a police automotive got here below hearth in Sergokala, a village between Makhachkala and Derbent. “Unidentified gunmen opened hearth on a automotive carrying law enforcement officials on the primary sq. in Sergokala,” Dagestan’s Inside Ministry stated.
Authorities had the state of affairs below management early Monday morning, President Sergei Melikov stated. He confirmed that the separate assaults killed 15 law enforcement officials, a priest and three civilians. “It is a tragic day for Dagestan and the entire nation,” it stated in a video message. He introduced that June 24 to 26 have been declared days of mourning in Dagestan, with flags flying at half-mast and all leisure occasions canceled.
“We perceive who’s behind it”
The assaults, which seem coordinated, weren’t instantly claimed. Nevertheless, Melikov says that “we perceive who’s behind the group of the terrorist assaults and what aim they pursued,” with out disclosing extra particulars. He did seek advice from the conflict in Ukraine, and likewise stated that the assaults have been “actually ready from overseas”.
In line with Russian state media, police stated that they had arrested Magomed Omarov, head of the Sergokalinsky district. Two of his sons carried out the assaults, state media stated. (Learn extra under the picture)
© AFP
The Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee instantly launched large-scale operations within the area, it was introduced. “To make sure the protection of the folks, forestall terrorist crimes and apprehend these concerned within the armed assaults, the pinnacle of Russia’s Federal Safety Service FSB has determined to determine a regime of anti-terrorist operations,” it stated. It.
That operation ended Monday morning. “On account of the neutralization of threats to the life and well being of civilians, it has been determined to terminate the anti-terrorist operation,” the committee stated.
Issues of safety
Muslim-majority Dagestan is one in all Russia’s poorest areas. The republic additionally borders Chechnya, and is near Georgia and Azerbaijan. The republic faces persistent safety challenges as a result of presence of extremist teams and militants, with Russian authorities commonly saying anti-terrorist operations. (Learn extra under the picture)
© AFP
On the finish of October, the republic’s airport was stormed: greater than 150 folks entered the airport constructing searching for Israelis. The professional-Palestinian demonstrators began their motion after the touchdown of a daily flight from Tel Aviv. 9 law enforcement officials and a dozen different folks have been injured within the incident. Sixty members within the storming have been arrested by the police. In line with the Kremlin, there was additionally “overseas interference”.
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