Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Russian Province Of Ingushetia Explodes In Violence

Troops engage in military exercises near the border of Ingushetia and South Ossetia
(Photo AFP)


Russian Troops Attacked, Report Claims 50 Killed -- AFP

MOSCOW (AFP) — A Russian troop convoy was attacked Saturday in the volatile Caucasus province of Ingushetia and an opposition website said around 50 soldiers had been killed, though officials confirmed only two dead.

Around 100 interior ministry troops were in vehicles travelling on a road near the village of Galashki when they were attacked with grenade launchers and automatic weapons by the gunmen, officials said.

A website run by opponents of Ingushetia's Moscow-backed administration, www.ingushetia.org, quoted unnamed local interior ministry and medical sources as saying that "around" 50 Russian soldiers were killed in that attack.

If confirmed, that figure would represent one of the most deadly strikes against Russian federal forces in the north Caucasus since the end of major combat operations in neighboring Chechnya several years ago.

The three main Russian news agencies and the main broadcast television stations, all either run by or strongly influenced by the Kremlin, however reported only that two soldiers were killed and nine others wounded.

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My Comment: Muslim separatists are now positioning themselves to start a long and protracted civil war in the Caucasus. This has all the makings of a long term insurgency.

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