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Imam Shamil Battalion

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For the Volunteer Separatist Battalion in the Ukrainian International Legion, see Imam Shamil Dagestan Battalion (Ukraine).
Imam Shamil Battalion
Leaders Sirozhiddin Mukhtarov (POW)[1]
Dates of operationApril 2017 – 2019
HeadquartersNorth Caucasus, Russia
Active regionsNorth Caucasus, Russia
Ideology
Size100 (according to the (CFR)[3]
Part of al-Qaeda
Allies Tahrir al-Sham
Turkistan Islamic Party
OpponentsState opponents

Non state opponents

Battles and wars2017 Saint Petersburg metro bombing, Insurgency in the North Caucasus, Islamic State insurgency in the North Caucasus

The Imam Shamil Battalion (Arabic: كتيبة الإمام شامل, romanized: Katiba Al Imam Shamil, Russian: батальон имама Шамиля) was a militant Islamist organization in Russia. It is a North Caucasus affiliate of Al-Qaeda.[4][5][6]

The name of the group is in reference to Imam Shamil, a Muslim leader from Dagestan that fought an invasion by the Russian Empire during the Caucasian War, and was the third Imam of Caucasian Imamate.[7][8]

History

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It is unknown when the group was formed but it rose to public prominence in 26 April 2017, when it claimed responsibility for the 2017 Saint Petersburg Metro bombing.[9] In its statement, it said that the attack was ordered by al-Qaeda's general Emir, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and that the group acts on behalf of al-Qaeda in the Caucasus and the Russian Federation.[10][11] The attack was in retaliation to Russian military intervention in Syria. The group also pledged to continue launching terrorists attack in Russia until the Russian government withdraws its forces from the Caucasus and Syria. Is speculated that the group is led by Sirozhiddin Mukhtarov, who is also known as Abu Salah al-Uzbeky. In Tajikistan he is known for his connections with Uyghur terrorist groups such as the Turkistan Islamic Party and other al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria such as Tahrir al-Sham.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ "Jihadist group confirms arrest of Uzbek commander". www.longwarjournal.org. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  2. ^ Hudson, Valerie M.; Leidl, Patricia (30 June 2015). The Hillary Doctrine: Sex and American Foreign Policy. Columbia University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9780231539104. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  3. ^ Hoffman, Bruce (6 March 2018). "Al-Qaeda's Resurrection". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Shadowy 'al-Qaeda' group claims responsibility for St Petersburg bombing". alaraby.co.uk. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  5. ^ Ariel, Ben (26 April 2017). "Al-Qaeda-linked group claims St. Petersburg attack". Israel National News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Imam Shamil Battalion claims Russia metro bombing". Gulf-Times (in Arabic). 25 April 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ^ Gary Hamburg, Thomas Sanders, Ernest Tucker (eds,),Russian-Muslim Confrontation in the Caucasus: Alternative Visions of the conflict between Imam Shamil and the Russians, 1830-1859, RoutledgeCurzon 2004 pèassim
  8. ^ Malise Ruthven,'Terror:The Hidden Source, in New York Review of Books October 24, 2013 pp.20-24, p.20.
  9. ^ "St Petersburg bombing: Group says al-Qaeda chief ordered attack". BBC News. 2017-04-25. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  10. ^ "Islamist group claim responsibility for St Petersburg metro attack". 25 April 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Group with alleged al-Qaeda ties claims St. Petersburg metro bombing - DW - 25.04.2017". DW.COM. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Group connected to Al-Qaeda took responsibility for St. Petersburg terrorist attack". Crime Russia. 26 April 2017. Archived from the original on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  13. ^ Bavier, Joe (25 April 2017). Jones, Gareth (ed.). "Group claims Russia metro bombing, says bomber acted on al Qaeda orders - monitor". AF Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
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