„War is war“ – Dokku Umarov´s Message to Putin

by Florian Flade

„Everybody should know – war is war, and wars have their own methods, be they good or bad“

– Russia´s most-wanted man, Caucasian Jihadi leader Dokku Umarov couldn´t be more precise in his latest description of the terror campaign he announced against the Russian state.

In a new video released earlier this month, Dokku Umarov warns of more attacks against Russian targets. So do not forget, „dear“ Putin’s stooges, and Putin, that you are at war with the Muslims of Caucasus!“, Umarov says in the tape showing him wearing his camouflage uniform, „God willing, such operations will be carried out further…no matter what atrocities and crimes you commit against the civilian population, against our brothers and sisters, we will deliver you such strikes that you will be unhappy of them!“

Umarov also highlights an interesting fact about suicide bombing at Moscow´s Domodedovo Aiport on January 24 in which 35 people were killed. The suicide bomber named „Sayfullah“ was sent by the „Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus“, a group headed by Umarov. A video claim of responsibility showing the bomber giving his martyrdom statement was released two weeks after the bloody attack. It was then followed by a second video showing Umarov directly mentioning the Airport attack.

„He insisted on making the film even though I asked him not to show his face“, the Chechen terrorist leader tells, „I kept this video as long as the infidels didn’t establish the identity of our brother Sayfullah, and only after that, knowing their treachery, knowing their lawlessness, knowing how much sufferings they will bring to his family -only then I published this video, when I was definitely convinced that they know our brother.“

Eventually security forces in the Northern Caucasus arrested the sister and a brother of the suicide bomber.

If Umarov´s words of terror threats will be followed by real action is to be questioned. Local security forces have stepped up counter-terrorism measures in the Northern Caucasus recently, sweeping through villages and arrested scores of potential terror supporters.