A series of coordinated terrorist attacks in the Russian republic of Dagestan have left 19 people dead, including 15 police officers and 4 civilians. The attacks targeted two churches, a synagogue, and a law enforcement checkpoint, causing widespread panic and alarm in the region. The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the fatalities, which include prominent local figures such as the archpriest of a church and private security guards at the synagogue.
Governor Sergey Melikov of Dagestan reported that more than fifteen officers lost their lives while protecting the community. Among the civilian victims was Father Nikolaj, who had served the Orthodox church of Derbent for over forty years. The attacks, which were carried out with automatic weapons, resulted in both the synagogue and the church being set on fire.
The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) announced that the anti-terrorism operation in Dagestan has concluded. Six attackers have been killed, and the situation is now under control. The authorities are continuing their search for any remaining members of the sleeper cells responsible for the attacks. According to local sources, the attackers fled in a white Volkswagen Polo after the assault.
The international community has closely followed the events, with Israel expressing significant concern. The Israeli embassy in Moscow contacted Jewish community leaders in the Derbent district to ensure their safety. Fortunately, there were no believers in the synagogue at the time of the attack.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that the Wilayat Kavkaz group, the North Caucasus branch of the Islamic State, is likely behind the coordinated attacks. The group has become more active in recent months, intensifying recruitment efforts in the North Caucasus region.
The recent attacks are part of a disturbing trend of rising violence in Dagestan. Last October, the region experienced an openly anti-Semitic incident at the Makhachkala airport, where dozens stormed the runway after a plane from Israel landed. Moscow accused Kiev of playing a key role in that incident, aiming to destabilize Russia by provoking ethno-religious divisions.
- The Russian Interior Ministry reported that 16 people were injured in the attacks, including 13 police officers. The ministry has launched a criminal investigation into the incidents, categorizing them as terrorist acts.
- The attackers' motives remain unclear, but the security services have linked them to an international terrorist organization. Two of the attackers were identified as the sons of the head of the Sarjukala region in central Dagestan, who has been detained by the authorities.
- The attacks in Dagestan come three months after a significant attack in Moscow, where 145 people were killed in an assault claimed by ISIS. This recent wave of violence underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Russia.
