Russia launches final offensive in Dagestan

MOSCOW, AUGUST 30: Russian military forces on Monday began what was termed the decisive operation to disarm Islamic rebels entrenched in the North Caucasian republic of Dagestan.

Supported by artillery, armoured units and air power, Russian troops engaged Wahhabite extremists in villages in the republic’s Buikansk region, the Interfax news agency quoted Interior Ministry spokesmen as saying in Moscow.The operation began after a night of airstrikes and isolated skirmishes with armed guerrillas in several settlements.

These included the villages of Karamakhi and Chabanmakhi where Wahhabites have for several months have defied rule from the Dagestani capital Makhachkala and enforced Islamic Shariat law. There was no information about casualties on either side or among the civilian population.