📷 Image Credits: The Indian Express
The recent deadly shootings in Dagestan have brought the rising Islamist threat to the forefront for President Vladimir Putin. The attacks, which took the lives of at least 20 people in a series of coordinated shootings in Russia’s far south on Sunday evening, have raised concerns about the growing militant Islam in the region. The violence has shifted focus from Russia’s war in Ukraine to the internal security challenges posed by radical Islamism.
According to Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, the resurgence of radical Islamism in Russia demands immediate action from the authorities. The reported involvement of two relatives of a local official and the past affiliation of an attacker with a pro-Kremlin party have underscored the potential infiltration of the local elite, further complicating the security situation. The attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, where a Russian Orthodox priest and several policemen lost their lives, have disrupted the domestic stability that Putin has long promised to uphold.
Amidst the tragedy, experts have highlighted the importance of reviewing the governance of Dagestan, a majority-Muslim region that has been a focal point of Islamist activities. The incident reflects a broader concern about the security gap in Russian intelligence-gathering, with implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Riccardo Valle, Director of Research at The Khorasan Diary, emphasized the discussions among jihadist groups on leveraging the Ukraine war to their advantage, posing a significant challenge to security efforts.
The attacks in Dagestan follow previous incidents linked to Islamic State, such as the Crocus City concert hall raid and a prison uprising in southern Russia. Despite the absence of immediate claims of responsibility, Western military experts have noted the strategic planning apparent in the recent attacks. The Institute for the Study of War pointed to the Northern Caucasus branch of Islamic State as a likely perpetrator, raising concerns about the broader implications of the violence.
While Putin has assured that the society is united against terrorism, the Dagestan shootings have exposed vulnerabilities in Russian security and intelligence operations. The United States’ advanced warning of the Moscow concert hall attack earlier this year exemplifies the global nature of the terrorism threat. As Russia grapples with the aftermath of the Dagestan tragedy, the need for enhanced cooperation and vigilance in countering Islamist extremism remains paramount.
