CrisisWatch

Tracking Conflict Worldwide

CrisisWatch is our global conflict tracker, an early warning tool designed to help prevent deadly violence. It keeps decision-makers up-to-date with developments in over 70 conflicts and crises every month, identifying trends and alerting them to risks of escalation and opportunities to advance peace. In addition, CrisisWatch monitors over 50 situations (“standby monitoring”) to offer timely information if developments indicate a drift toward violence or instability. Entries dating back to 2003 provide easily searchable conflict histories.

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Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Rights group Memorial 16 Dec announced resumption of work in Chechnya, suspended since July murder of Natalia Estemirova. Authorities 19 Dec reported militant leader Aslan Izrailov killed during special operation.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

President Kadyrov 13 Nov reported security forces killed up to 20 rebels 13 Nov in special operation in Shalazh, 30km SW of Grozny, possibly including head of selfdeclared North Caucasus “emirate” Doku Umarov. Several other violent incidents reported over month. Russia 24 Nov imposed counter-terrorist operation on part of Achkhoi-Martan district. Parliament Speaker in 2 Nov interview further distanced Grozny from exiled leader of Chechen Republic Ichkeria.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Gunmen killed 2 police officers at police checkpoint east of Grozny, 3 police wounded by suicide bomber in Grozny, 12 Sept. 6 people injured in suicide attack by police car in Grozny 16 Sept. President Kadyrov 24 Sept claimed U.S., UK intelligence services involved in Chechen insurgency in attempt to split Russia up; 26 Sept launched defamation suit against head of human rights group Memorial in Moscow court. Human Rights Watch 27 Sept accused Moscow of contributing to climate of impunity in Chechnya.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Month saw increasing violence and another high-profile killing with 10 Aug murder of Zarema Sadulayeva, head of children’s NGO, shot dead with her husband. Incident provoked further local, international condemnation following July murder of Natalia Estemirova. Kadyrov mid-month filed lawsuit against head of Estemirova’s organisation Memorial following latter’s accusation of his involvement in Estmirova killing. Upsurge in violence included 5 police shot dead by militants south of Grozny 2 Aug; 2 police killed by unknown assailants in Grozny 11 Aug; 4 police, 2 separatists killed during shootout near Grozny 13 Aug; 4 police killed by suicide bombings in Grozny 21 Aug; 4 police, 2 civilians reported killed by suicide bombing in MeskerYurt village 25 Aug. Chechen Islamist group 21 Aug claimed responsibility for 17 Aug explosion at Siberian hydroelectric plant killing 26 people and 17 Aug suicide bomb attack in Nazran (see North Caucasus). PM Putin 24 Aug visited region in show of support for Kadyrov.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Month marked by insurgency violence and murder of prominent activist Natalia Estemirova, investigating rights violations by security forces in Chechnya, kidnapped in Grozny and killed 15 July; body found same day in Ingushetia. Prompted widespread international outrage and renewed focus on rights abuses in Chechnya; some fellow activist alleged murder sanctioned by President Kadyrov. Estemirova’s organization Memorial 19 July announced suspension of work over safety concerns for its employees. 6 killed by suicide bomb attack in Grozny 26 July. Russian security forces shot dead 5 militants in 2 separate incidents 13 July. Policeman shot dead in Grozny 17 July.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Following recent increase in rebel activity, President Kadyrov 17 June ordered military to defeat militant groups within 2 weeks, 23 June said Russian President Medvedev had ordered him to conduct counter-insurgency operations in Ingushetia (see North Caucasus). 8 June rebel leader Doku Umarov reported severely wounded in special operation.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Govt intensified campaign against militants, in coordination with Ingushetia, in face of continuing attacks; President Kadyrov late month ruled out amnesties. Follows 15 May suicide bombing in front of interior ministry in Grozny killing 2 police and 16 May clash between Russian troops and up to 50 militants believed to have entered from Ingushetia in west. Elsewhere, 3 killed, including 2 police, in 13 May attack on police in Staropromyslovski; Russian forces 16 May killed 4 suspected militants; at least 4 killed in string of incidents 25 May. Kadryov and Ingush President Yevkurov in 17 May press conference announced increased Chechen-Ingush cooperation, after Kadyrov travelled to Ingushetia to promote coordination between Chechnya, Ingushetia and Daghestan against militants. Kadyrov appointed Adam Delimkhanov, wanted by Interpol for March assassination of émigré Sulim Yamadaev, to oversee coordinated actions. Reports emerged 21 May that Yamadaev still alive.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Russia 16 Apr announced end to 10-yr “counter-terrorism” operation against Chechen rebels; move seen as victory for Kadyrov. Marks end of 2nd Chechen war begun 1999, but violence quickly resumed, with 3 Russian soldiers reportedly killed 21 Apr in rebel attack near Grozny, and further incidents resulting in 1 soldier dead, 3 wounded. Russia 24 Apr announced expansion of counterterrorism operations in Chechnya, citing planned rebel attacks, recent discovery of rebel hiding places, weapons caches. Chechen authorities 21 Apr announced launch of operation to locate some 500 fighters in Vedeno region. Dubai police 5 Apr said seeking Chechen member of State Duma, Kadyrov relative and adviser Adam Delimkhanov, in connection with March murder of émigré Yamadayev; Russia said would not hand Delimkhanov over. Interpol released warrants for Delimkhanov and 6 others 28 Apr.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

Video footage emerged 5 March of Chechen claiming he was commissioned by President Kadyrov to kill émigré in Norway. Kadyrov 20 March issued new invitation to exiles to return home. Sulim Yamadayev, Kadyrov opponent and brother of émigré shot dead in Moscow Sept, assassinated in Dubai March 28. European Court of Human Rights 12 March ruled Russia must pay damages to families of 13 Chechens presumed dead after 2001, 2003 raids. Rights groups condemned President Kadyrov’s 28 Feb defence of honour killings of 7 women.

Europe & Central Asia

Chechnya (Russia)

1 interior ministry officer killed in 9 Feb battle with militants in southeast Vedeno district. Former Grozny deputy major Gilani Shepiyev shot dead 5 Feb in Moscow - 3rd high-profile émigré shot since Sept. Gunman 23 Feb killed 2 police in Urus Maran. Govt reopened kidnap investigation into Russian Colonel Badanov, jailed for 2000 murder of Chechen girl, and whose Jan release provoked outrage in Chechnya. Austrian prosecutors 10 Feb announced investigation of President Kadyrov following complaint from former rebel Israilov, murdered in Vienna Jan; Polish police 22 Feb arrested Chechen for suspected involvement in murder. Another former militant shot dead 27 Feb in Istanbul. Exiled former separatist govt FM, resistance commander Zakayev, rumoured to be setting up armed units, directing attacks in Chechnya and wanted in Russia for alleged war crimes, said will not return to Chechnya despite invitation to take up govt post.

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