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Chechen leader Maskhadov killed
Russian forces say Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov has been killed.
Russian television showed pictures of a body resembling that of Mr Maskhadov, 53, in a pool of blood in Chechnya.
President Vladimir Putin has asked for further identification. However, Mr Maskhadov's envoy in London, Akhmed Zakayev, later confirmed the death.
Mr Zakayev said resistance in Chechnya would continue despite the death of Mr Maskhadov, seen as the most moderate of Chechnya's rebel commanders.
Mr Maskhadov was elected Chechen president in January 1997 but was ousted two years later.
Thousands of people - many of them civilians - have been killed in the 10-year war between Russian forces and Chechen separatists.
Further identification
Few details have been released of the Russian operation at the settlement of Tolstoy-Yurt, near the Chechen capital, Grozny.
Gen Ilya Shabalkin, a spokesman for Russian forces in the Caucasus region, earlier told news agencies that Mr Maskhadov's body had been found in a bunker.
But it was not clear whether he had been killed by Russian forces.
Chechnya's Moscow-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov told Interfax news agency the intention had been to take Mr Maskhadov alive, but he had been killed as a result of his bodyguards' carelessness in handling their weapons.
Russia's FSB security chief briefed President Putin on the troops' operation in a Chechen village, but did not say how Mr Maskhadov was killed.
He told the president the FSB security services "today carried out an operation in the settlement of Tolstoy-Yurt, as a result of which the international terrorist and leader of armed groups Maskhadov was killed, and his closest comrades-in-arms detained".
"Carry out additional identification tests, report back," Mr Putin ordered.
"If this information is confirmed, grant state awards to all those involved in the operation," the Russian leader said.
"We have to gather our forces to protect the people of the republic and citizens of all Russia from the bandits," Mr Putin said.
Russian also television showed pictures of a grey-bearded and shirtless corpse in a pool of blood.
If the death is confirmed, this will be a major coup for Moscow, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says.
Moscow has blamed Mr Maskhadov for a string of deadly attacks in Russia, including a rebel attack on a school in the south Russian town of Beslan last September in which more than 330 hostages - half of them children - died.
He led the Chechen separatists who defeated Russian forces in a 1994-1996 war.
Mr Putin sent Russian troops back into Chechnya in October 1999.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4330039.stm
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate!
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, Who made us Muslims. Peace and blessing be to Prophet Muhammad, to His Family, to His Disciples, and to all of those who follow the straight way of Allah until the Day of Judgment. And then:
After the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), at the moment when many Muhajirs (driven-out settlers) and Ansars (companions-in-arms) were in grief, noble Abu Baqr said: “Those who were worshipping Muhammad, know that he died. Those who worship Allah, know that He lives eternally and will never die.”
“And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive” (The Koran, 2:154)
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (CRI) hereby reports that in accordance with predetermination of Almighty Allah, President of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Commander-In-Chief of CRI State Defence Council became a Shaheed (Martyr), God Willing (Insha Allah), in a battle in the village of Doikur-Aul.
Aslan Maskhadov has completely fulfilled his duty before God and before his people. Just as it befits a leader of a fighting Muslim nation, he was at the head of the Mujahideen (Fighters) until he breathed his last.
Aslan Maskhadov has lived a worthy life and left this life with dignity, while keeping his honour and the honour of his fellow people.
We are praying to Allah to accept the Jihad of the Commander-In-Chief of the Mujahideen!
Allahu Akbar!
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is also announcing that in accordance with CRI Constitution, CRI State Defence Council has the full governing authority throughout the entire territory of the Chechen State.
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and Military Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria hereby order to all Commanders of CRI Armed Forces, to all Commanders of Units of Northern Caucasus Sectors and Directions, as well as to all mobile squads of Chechen troops operating on the territories of CRI and outside to keep carrying out their combat missions in accordance with the previously- ratified plan of the spring/summer military campaign.
Allahu Akbar!
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/article.php?id=3598
On March 8 President of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov became a Shaheed (a Martyr), he fell in a battle in the village of Doikur-Aul (Tolstoy-Yurt).
This report was confirmed by the Chechen Government.
Moscow has not been making a secret out of extreme importance of what happened. And it has been stressed with a public report that Russian KGB/FSB chief Patrushev made to Putin. Putin was not concealing his joy either and right in front of a TV camera he issued an order to decorate the “distinguished ones”.
Death of President Maskhadov has become the main news in media reports worldwide. And it is understandable: for quite a long time the figure of Chechen President has been determining in any affairs in the Caucasus.
The invaders and puppets claim to be celebrating a victory. There really is a reason for temporary propagandistic euphoria. Now Putin and Co. will have an additional argument: “So who is there to negotiate with?” since President of Chechnya, elected without any help from the “councils of Europe” and betrayed by them, is now killed.
It’s all true with the only substantial difference that in Chechnya there really is nobody else to be negotiating with because Aslan Maskhadov was the only person who believed that there was still something to talk about with Moscow. Now there is no such a person in Chechnya.
Those who claim that the entire period of Russian-Chechen confrontation is now over once President Maskhadov is dead are absolutely right.
By killing Maskhadov, the Kremlin has killed the last illusion in those Chechens who no matter what still believed in the so-called “international law” and civilized forms of communication with today’s regime in Moscow.
A new period in the history of Russian-Chechen military confrontation has started with the death of CRI President. This period does not imply not only any negotiation, but even cessation of the war.
The war will not cease, it will be stopped. But it will be stopped only when the threat from the North will be eliminated once and for all.
Aslan Maskhadov is not the first Chechen President who became a Shaheed (a Martyr), Insha Allah (God Willing), and probably not the last Chechen leader who has to die in a battle for his country’s freedom. But Aslan Maskhadov became the first President, who was killed demonstratively and in a vile way in response to reaching out his hand of peace, and he was the last one who did reach out his hand for that purpose.
We are asking God to accept the Jihad of President of Chechnya Aslan Maskhadov!
God is Great!!! (Allah Akbar!!!)
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/article.php?id=3599
President Vladimir Putin has asked for further identification. However, Mr Maskhadov's envoy in London, Akhmed Zakayev, later confirmed the death.
Mr Zakayev said resistance in Chechnya would continue despite the death of Mr Maskhadov, seen as the most moderate of Chechnya's rebel commanders.
Mr Maskhadov was elected Chechen president in January 1997 but was ousted two years later.
Thousands of people - many of them civilians - have been killed in the 10-year war between Russian forces and Chechen separatists.
Further identification
Few details have been released of the Russian operation at the settlement of Tolstoy-Yurt, near the Chechen capital, Grozny.
Gen Ilya Shabalkin, a spokesman for Russian forces in the Caucasus region, earlier told news agencies that Mr Maskhadov's body had been found in a bunker.
But it was not clear whether he had been killed by Russian forces.
Chechnya's Moscow-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov told Interfax news agency the intention had been to take Mr Maskhadov alive, but he had been killed as a result of his bodyguards' carelessness in handling their weapons.
Russia's FSB security chief briefed President Putin on the troops' operation in a Chechen village, but did not say how Mr Maskhadov was killed.
He told the president the FSB security services "today carried out an operation in the settlement of Tolstoy-Yurt, as a result of which the international terrorist and leader of armed groups Maskhadov was killed, and his closest comrades-in-arms detained".
"Carry out additional identification tests, report back," Mr Putin ordered.
"If this information is confirmed, grant state awards to all those involved in the operation," the Russian leader said.
"We have to gather our forces to protect the people of the republic and citizens of all Russia from the bandits," Mr Putin said.
Russian also television showed pictures of a grey-bearded and shirtless corpse in a pool of blood.
If the death is confirmed, this will be a major coup for Moscow, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says.
Moscow has blamed Mr Maskhadov for a string of deadly attacks in Russia, including a rebel attack on a school in the south Russian town of Beslan last September in which more than 330 hostages - half of them children - died.
He led the Chechen separatists who defeated Russian forces in a 1994-1996 war.
Mr Putin sent Russian troops back into Chechnya in October 1999.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4330039.stm
In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate!
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, Who made us Muslims. Peace and blessing be to Prophet Muhammad, to His Family, to His Disciples, and to all of those who follow the straight way of Allah until the Day of Judgment. And then:
After the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), at the moment when many Muhajirs (driven-out settlers) and Ansars (companions-in-arms) were in grief, noble Abu Baqr said: “Those who were worshipping Muhammad, know that he died. Those who worship Allah, know that He lives eternally and will never die.”
“And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive” (The Koran, 2:154)
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (CRI) hereby reports that in accordance with predetermination of Almighty Allah, President of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Commander-In-Chief of CRI State Defence Council became a Shaheed (Martyr), God Willing (Insha Allah), in a battle in the village of Doikur-Aul.
Aslan Maskhadov has completely fulfilled his duty before God and before his people. Just as it befits a leader of a fighting Muslim nation, he was at the head of the Mujahideen (Fighters) until he breathed his last.
Aslan Maskhadov has lived a worthy life and left this life with dignity, while keeping his honour and the honour of his fellow people.
We are praying to Allah to accept the Jihad of the Commander-In-Chief of the Mujahideen!
Allahu Akbar!
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is also announcing that in accordance with CRI Constitution, CRI State Defence Council has the full governing authority throughout the entire territory of the Chechen State.
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and Military Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria hereby order to all Commanders of CRI Armed Forces, to all Commanders of Units of Northern Caucasus Sectors and Directions, as well as to all mobile squads of Chechen troops operating on the territories of CRI and outside to keep carrying out their combat missions in accordance with the previously- ratified plan of the spring/summer military campaign.
Allahu Akbar!
State Defence Council of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/article.php?id=3598
On March 8 President of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov became a Shaheed (a Martyr), he fell in a battle in the village of Doikur-Aul (Tolstoy-Yurt).
This report was confirmed by the Chechen Government.
Moscow has not been making a secret out of extreme importance of what happened. And it has been stressed with a public report that Russian KGB/FSB chief Patrushev made to Putin. Putin was not concealing his joy either and right in front of a TV camera he issued an order to decorate the “distinguished ones”.
Death of President Maskhadov has become the main news in media reports worldwide. And it is understandable: for quite a long time the figure of Chechen President has been determining in any affairs in the Caucasus.
The invaders and puppets claim to be celebrating a victory. There really is a reason for temporary propagandistic euphoria. Now Putin and Co. will have an additional argument: “So who is there to negotiate with?” since President of Chechnya, elected without any help from the “councils of Europe” and betrayed by them, is now killed.
It’s all true with the only substantial difference that in Chechnya there really is nobody else to be negotiating with because Aslan Maskhadov was the only person who believed that there was still something to talk about with Moscow. Now there is no such a person in Chechnya.
Those who claim that the entire period of Russian-Chechen confrontation is now over once President Maskhadov is dead are absolutely right.
By killing Maskhadov, the Kremlin has killed the last illusion in those Chechens who no matter what still believed in the so-called “international law” and civilized forms of communication with today’s regime in Moscow.
A new period in the history of Russian-Chechen military confrontation has started with the death of CRI President. This period does not imply not only any negotiation, but even cessation of the war.
The war will not cease, it will be stopped. But it will be stopped only when the threat from the North will be eliminated once and for all.
Aslan Maskhadov is not the first Chechen President who became a Shaheed (a Martyr), Insha Allah (God Willing), and probably not the last Chechen leader who has to die in a battle for his country’s freedom. But Aslan Maskhadov became the first President, who was killed demonstratively and in a vile way in response to reaching out his hand of peace, and he was the last one who did reach out his hand for that purpose.
We are asking God to accept the Jihad of President of Chechnya Aslan Maskhadov!
God is Great!!! (Allah Akbar!!!)
http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/article.php?id=3599
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For one, the death diminishes chances of peaceful resolution to the 10-year conflict in the troubled region as it gives a free hand to both separatist radicals and Kremlin hawks.
Maskhadov, one of Chechnya's two main rebel chiefs who was elected president in January 1997 and thus enjoyed widespread legitimacy among Chechens, was reported dead by the Russian military on Tuesday.
The soft-spoken 53-year-old former Red Army Colonel became one of Chechnya's foremost rebel leaders during the first Russo-Chechen war, served as the president of a de factor independent Chechnya and headed the separatists during the ongoing second war, acting as a restraining influence on his hardline counterpart, Shamil Basayev.
"He was a restraining force," his longtime ally and spokesman Akhmed Zakayev said from Britain where he has received political asylum.
"The situation now risks getting out of hand," he said.
With Maskhadov gone, Basayev – who has claimed responsibility for attacks like on the Moscow's theatre and the Beslan school siege that together left nearly 500 people dead – is likely to assume the post of Chechnya's rebel leader.
Strengthening radicals
"His death leaves the way open for the radicals," said Alexander Cherkassov, the head of the respected Memorial non-government group in Moscow. "The conflict will not be less bloody, on the contrary."
"Those people who were insisting on talks with separatists…have been knocked off their feet," said Taus Djabrailov, a high official in the pro-Moscow administration in Chechnya.
At the Kremlin, the hawks will likewise be free to harden their policies in Chechnya now that the man whom the West recognised as a legitimate representative of the Chechen separatist cause is dead.
"This is no longer a fight against separatists but an eternal fight against Islamic terrorism," said Andrei Piontkovsky, an analyst in Moscow.
With Maskhadov dead, the Kremlin will be free to pursue its hardfisted policies in Chechnya where the authority of radical Basayev is likely to grow.
"He was a person with whom one could have started negotiations," said Lyudmilla Alexeveva of the Moscow branch of the Helsinki Group.
Without him, Moscow can say there is no one with whom to conduct negotiations.
"This is good for Putin and his ratings, for the first time in months something has happened to lift his standing," said Slexei Malashenko, an analyst in Moscow.
"It is too early to say what will happen to Chechnya's resistance, but there will certainly be a radicalisation," he said.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/056ACD58-8011-4E5C-9C70-0B0D683F0A1A.htm
What did the guy gain? The candle still burns just like in America but the abuses still manifest themselves, just as in the USA.
In a vast mountainous terrain, even an insect has the sense to fly away if an area is on fire. Why do men stay to fight? It makes no sense, or does it?
Welcome to Alabama Chechnyan. We admire your weapons.