On June 23, 2024, Dagestan, a republic in Russia’s North Caucasus region, was rocked by a series of coordinated terrorist attacks targeting religious sites and a police post. The attacks, which took place in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent, resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people, including 15 police officers, an Orthodox priest, and several civilians.
Details of the Attacks:
Makhachkala: Gunmen attacked a synagogue and a traffic police post. Heavy gunfire was reported at the Russian Orthodox Assumption Cathedral.
Derbent: The attackers targeted the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin and the Kele-Numaz Synagogue. The synagogue, which is over 110 years old, was set on fire.
The attackers used automatic weapons and Molotov cocktails, causing significant casualties and damage. Six of the gunmen were killed during the incidents. The governor of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, declared three days of mourning from June 24 to 26, with flags lowered to half-staff and all entertainment events cancelled.
Background and Response: Dagestan has a history of Islamist insurgency, and the region has seen a resurgence of violence in recent years. The attacks come three months after a major terrorist attack near Moscow, which was claimed by the Islamic State. Authorities have launched a counterterrorism operation in response to the attacks.
The international community has condemned the attacks, and there is an ongoing investigation to identify the perpetrators and their motives.
