Orientalists explain motives for attacking policemen in Dagestan

The shelling of a police car in Dagestan was a local militants' attempt to remind about themselves about half a year after the previous attack; but this grouping has no direct links with the Islamic State" (IS), a terrorist organization banned in Russia by the court. This is the opinion of the Orientalists Mikhail Roschin, Akhmet Yarlykapov and the political analyst Alexei Malashenko.

Two policemen in the Kizilyurt District were killed by the last grouping of militants operating in Dagestan, a law enforcement source said. According to his story, the same grouping was involved in blowing up the grave of Sheikh Said Afandi of Chirkei.

According to Mikhail Roschin, the July 20 attack is more like an "attack of inspiration from IS ideological supporters" than a coordinated attack directed by its leaders.

Mr Roschin has noted that the last armed incident in Dagestan – the shooting at parishioners of the church in Kizlyar – occurred almost six months ago. According to his version, such a break between the attacks in Dagestan should be considered long.

He did not rule out the activation of militants by the forthcoming election of the head of Dagestan later in September.

Without "reminders" in the form of attacks, militants cannot hope for financial support, Akhmet Yarlykapov believes.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 24, 2018 at 11:19 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.