Tragedy in Dagestan: Coordinated attacks leave multiple dead
6:37 AM EDT, June 24, 2024
In Derbent and Makhachkala, militants attacked two churches, a synagogue, and a roadside police station (near the second synagogue) on the evening of June 23. According to the latest data, several people, including police officers and a priest, were killed.
According to the authorities in Russia, armed men attacked churches, a synagogue, and a police station in Dagestan in Russia's North Caucasus, killing at least 15 police officers and National Guard members, several civilians, and an Orthodox priest.
The attackers opened fire on two churches, a synagogue, and a police station in two cities. The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region, which has experienced armed uprisings in the past, as acts of terrorism.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday have been declared days of mourning in the region. The Dagestan Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that a group of armed men first fired upon a synagogue and a church in the city of Derbent by the Caspian Sea.
State media reported that almost simultaneously, there were reports of an attack on a church and a roadside police station in the capital of Dagestan, Makhachkala.
The fights in Derbent and Makhachkala lasted until late Sunday evening. An anti-terrorism operation regime was implemented in the republic. Sergey Melikov called the attacks "an attempt to destabilize the social situation" in the region. According to the politician, the authorities are currently in full control of the situation.
Personal details of the attackers in Dagestan revealed
As highlighted by the Baza profile on Telegram, among the attackers in Dagestan were two sons of Magomed Omarov, the head of the Sergokalin district: Osman and Adil Omarov.
According to Baza, senior Omarov was taken to the police, and his house is being searched. At the same time, the head of the Sergokalin district has not been officially detained.
