Russian forces kill two key insurgent leaders in ChechnyaJanuary 24, 2013 - 16:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian security forces have killed two key insurgent leaders in Chechnya, the Interior Ministry said Thursday, Jan 24, according to RIA Novosti. The two men, brothers Hussein and Muslim Gakayev, were killed along with ten other militants during a special operation in the mountainous southeastern region of Vedeno that began on Wednesday and is still continuing, according to police. The elimination of the Gakayev brothers, who have been linked by Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov to bombings and other attacks on security officials in the region, represents a major coup for the leader, who has often singled out the brothers for their alleged roles in leading the local Islamist insurgency. “The Gakayevs are known for the fact that over many years, they have committed particularly serious crimes, including terror attacks [and] attempts on the lives of local law enforcement officials,” Kadyrov said in a statement on Thursday. Security officials received confirmation of their deaths from a captured militant, he added. Two police officers were also killed in the operation and seven more wounded, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee. Kadyrov has accused both brothers of staging a deadly attack on his hometown of Tsenteroi in August 2010, which left five police officers dead and 17 other officials and civilians injured. Chechnya, and the wider North Caucasus region in general, has been the scene of over two decades of low-intensity Islamist insurgency with frequent attacks against the security forces and local government. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. IDBank issues 2nd tranche of dollar bonds of 2024 On May 13, 2024, IDBank placed registered coupon bonds under the abbreviation AMANLBB2PER9. |