Russia Synagogue Attack: Targets Religious Sites and Police Station
This article details a series of coordinated attacks that targeted a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police station in Dagestan, Russia.
Attacks on Synagogue, Church, and Police Station in Dagestan
On Sunday night, gunmen launched a coordinated assault on several locations in Dagestan, Russia's southernmost province.
The targets included a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police station. Local reports from the province's interior ministry indicate that at least six police officers were killed and at least 12 others were injured in the attacks.
15 Killed and over 12 injured in Russia Synagogue and Church Shooting
- Police officers & a priest have been killed in the attack
-Police neutralized 2 gunmen at the scene
"Yesterday 2 attacks were reported in Russia...It's been said that at least 5… pic.twitter.com/cb0Qe4YRJf
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 24, 2024
Source: Twitter/TIMES NOW
Attacks Target Religious Sites in Dagestan
The violence also claimed the life of a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest. The attacks occurred in Makhachkala, the region's capital city, and Derbent, a coastal city.
Both locations are in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region with a history of militancy. Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee classified the incidents as acts of terrorism.
Synagogue and Church Set on Fire in Derbent
State media reported that armed attackers targeted a synagogue and a church in Derbent. Both buildings were subsequently set on fire.
Around the same time, an Orthodox church and a traffic police post in Makhachkala were also attacked.
Counter-Terrorist Operation Launched After Attacks
Following the attacks, authorities initiated a counter-terrorist operation. The Anti-Terrorist Committee confirmed the death of a priest and several police officers.
They also reported that five attackers were "eliminated," although the exact number of attackers involved remains unclear.
No Group Claims Responsibility for Russia Synagogue Attack (and Other Attacks)
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. Authorities have opened a criminal investigation under terrorism charges. Initial reports suggested that the attackers fled in a car, with two confirmed dead by Sunday afternoon.
Synagogue in Makhachkala Also Targeted
According to local media reports, a second police officer was killed during a shootout at a police post in Makhachkala, approximately 75 miles north along the Caspian Sea coast.
Additionally, Borush Gorin, chairman of the public council for Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities, mentioned on Telegram that the synagogue in Makhachkala had also been set on fire.
Accusations and Tensions Following Russia Synagogue Attack
While no group has claimed responsibility, some Dagestan officials have pointed fingers at Ukraine and NATO, suggesting a connection. Ukrainian officials have not responded to these accusations.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the President of neighboring Chechnya, condemned the attacks, calling them a "vile provocation" aimed at inciting religious conflict.
Dagestan: A Region of Cultural and Religious Diversity
Dagestan boasts a rich cultural and religious history, despite being a predominantly Muslim region in southern Russia bordering Georgia and Azerbaijan. Notably, Derbent, one of the targeted cities, is home to an ancient Jewish community and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This attack on religious sites in a region known for its diverse religious makeup adds another layer of complexity to this developing situation.
Read more such news on techinsighttoday
Thank you so much for reading.