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Russia ends Chechnya counter-terrorist operation after 10 years.

by israeli.agent | April 16, 2009 at 05:06 am

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After the disappearance of few months, suddenly the name Chechnya came back to news. Started as an anti - terror operation against Islamic rebels who were seeking independence, Russia faced severe military backlashes and lost thousands of undertrained and ill- equipped troops in the initial stages of this war forcing the country to cease fire.

But in recent years Russian counter- terror experts have changed their strategy. Because of this so many Chechen Local leaders defected to Russian side that weakened the rebels.

Local Chechen leader Ramzah Kadyrov expressed great satisfaction that at last Chechnya is a peaceful place to live. Kadyrov is the son of a defected Chechen leder and former President of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov who was killed in 2004 in a bomb blast.

Even though Chechnya is declared as a stabilized region, still clashes are happening between Islamic Militants and Russian forces in the neighboring Muslim region of Ingushetia.

Russia has ended its decade-long "counter-terrorism operation" against separatist rebels in the southern republic of Chechnya, officials say.

The move aimed "to create conditions to further normalise the situation", the National Anti-terrorist Committee said.

Russian forces have fought two wars in the mainly Muslim republic since 1994.

Moscow says Chechnya has stabilised under its pro-Kremlin President, Ramzan Kadyrov, but human rights groups accuse his militias of widespread abuses.

"We received the news about cancelling the counter-terrorism operation with great satisfaction," Mr Kadyrov told Russia's Interfax news agency on Thursday.

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Amy Judd

at 10:22 on April 16th, 2009

Wow, 10 years... it's about time. I somehow feel that it's not over though

israeli.agent

at 16:11 on April 16th, 2009

You are not alone, Amy. Even Russian and Chechnyan leaders would not have believing that the conflict is really end.

.Agent.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 10:33 on April 16th, 2009

I feel that this conflict is not over as well. Insurgencies will still persist whether they call the operation off or not. The news about Chechnya are indeed sparse in both Russian and international news sources. However, I do hear people being surprised by how much Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, has changed. It is finally starring to look like a city where peaceful life is somewhat possible, with locals tired of violence and instability.