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Head of Dagestan Republic Visits Church and Synagogue After Attacks Leave 20 Dead, 26 Injured

Head of the Dagestan Republic Sergey Melikov visits attack sites, condemning violence that left 20 dead and 26 injured in coordinated Islamist attacks on a church and synagogue in Derbent.

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Nitish Verma
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Dangestan

Head of Dagestan Republic Visits Church and Synagogue After Attacks Leave 20 Dead, 26 Injured

Head of the Dagestan Republic Sergey Melikov visited the church and synagogue in Derbent following attacks on Sunday, which left at least 20 people dead and 26 injured . The attacks, carried out by Islamist militants, targeted the religious sites and sparked widespread outrage and concern.

In a video statement, Melikov condemned the violence, saying that the attackers aimed to "sow panic and fear" in the region. He linked the attacks to Moscow's military action in Ukraine, but did not provide any evidence to support this claim .

The attacks, which took place in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent, resulted in the deaths of 15 police officers, a 66-year-old Orthodox priest, and several civilians. The militants also set fire to the church and synagogue, causing significant damage to the buildings.

According to the Investigative Committee, the country's top state criminal investigation agency, all five attackers were killed by special forces. Their identities have reportedly been established, and it is believed that they were members of Islamist "sleeper cells" directed from abroad . 

Why it Matters : The attacks in Dagestan are a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Russia in the North Caucasus region. The region has been plagued by violence and insurgency since the early 2000s, and the latest attacks highlight the need for the Russian authorities to re-examine their counterterrorism strategy. As Harold Chambers, a political and security analyst specializing in the North Caucasus, notes, "The solution is still deportation and repression. This has been the Russian counterterrorism strategy for decades, and it has still allowed for such attacks as today".

The region of Dagestan is known for its diversity and volatility, with over 30 recognized ethnic groups and 13 local languages. About 95% of the population identifies as Muslim, but the area also has long-standing Christian and Jewish communities .

Key Takeaways :

  • Head of the Dagestan Republic Sergey Melikov visited the church and synagogue in Derbent following attacks on Sunday.
  • The attacks, carried out by Islamist militants, left at least 20 people dead and 26 injured.
  • The regional governor linked the attacks to Moscow's military action in Ukraine, but did not provide any evidence.
  • The attacks have raised difficult questions for the Russian authorities about continued security lapses in the region.
  • The region of Dagestan has been plagued by violence and insurgency since the early 2000s, and the latest attacks highlight the need for a re-examination of Russia's counterterrorism strategy.