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{{Short description|Former jihadist organisation}}
{{Blacklisted-links|1=
{{Infobox militant organization
*http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2008/08/09/10050.shtml
| name = Caucasus Emirate (IK)
*:''Triggered by <code>\bkavkazcenter\.com\b</code> on the local blacklist''
| native_name = Имарат Кавказ
*http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2007/11/30/9148.shtml
| foundation = {{nowrap|{{start date and age|7 October 2007}}<ref name="Multiple sources">
*:''Triggered by <code>\bkavkazcenter\.com\b</code> on the local blacklist''
* {{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20170207/1487310587.html |title=Абдулатипов заявил об уничтожении всех террористических групп в Дагестане |date=7 February 2017 |access-date=2017-04-29 |archive-date=2018-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711022132/https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20170207/1487310587.html |url-status=live }}
*http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2007/12/11/9167.shtml
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.tvc.ru/news/show/id/68439 |title=Евкуров: терроризм в Ингушетии побежден |access-date=2017-04-29 |archive-date=2017-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408145850/http://www.tvc.ru/news/show/id/68439 |url-status=live }}
*:''Triggered by <code>\bkavkazcenter\.com\b</code> on the local blacklist''
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/288638/ |title=МВД объявило об отсутствии боевиков в Кабардино-Балкарии |access-date=2017-04-29 |archive-date=2020-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730140348/https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/288638/ |url-status=live }}
*http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/08/01/12339.shtml
* {{cite web|url=http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=25354|title=Imarat Kavkaz in Syria splits more after Abdul AzizKBK ouster|author=Joanna Paraszczuk|work=From Chechnya to Syria|date=12 May 2017|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-date=5 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605091051/http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=25354|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
*:''Triggered by <code>\bkavkazcenter\.com\b</code> on the local blacklist''
| dates = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}}–{{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
*http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/08/04/12346.shtml
| dissolved = {{end date and age|August 2016}}
*:''Triggered by <code>\bkavkazcenter\.com\b</code> on the local blacklist''|bot=Cyberbot II}}
| predecessor = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Caucasian Emirate.svg}} ]
{{Distinguish|Caucasian Imamate|North Caucasian Emirate}}
| successor = {{flagicon|ISIL}} ]
{{Infobox War Faction
| area = ], ]
|name=Caucasus Emirate<br>Кавказский Эмират
| ideology = ]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Al-Rasheed |first1=Madawi |title=Demystifying the Caliphate: Historical Memory and Contemporary Contexts |last2=Kersten |first2=Carool |last3=Shterin |first3=Marat |publisher=] |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-19-932795-9 |location=New York |pages=255}}</ref><br />]<ref name=ctc26Mar14>{{cite web|title=The Caucasus Emirate: From Anti-Colonialist Roots to Salafi-Jihad|url=https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-caucasus-emirate-from-anti-colonialist-roots-to-salafi-jihad|publisher=CTC Sentinel|date=26 March 2014|access-date=30 May 2014|archive-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009185250/https://ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-caucasus-emirate-from-anti-colonialist-roots-to-salafi-jihad|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Darion Rhodes, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903083632/http://www.ict.org.il/Article/132/Salafist-Takfiri%20Jihadism%20the%20Ideology%20of%20the%20Caucasus%20Emirate |date=3 September 2014 }}, ], March 2014</ref><br />]<ref name=ctc26Mar14/><br />]<ref name=ctc26Mar14/><br />]<ref name=ctc26Mar14/>
|war=]
| leaders = ]{{KIA}}<ref name=umarovdeath/><br />]{{KIA}}<br />]{{KIA}}
|image=]<br>Flag of the Caucasus Emirate
| attacks = ~ ]<br>~ ]<br />~ {{nowrap|]}}
|caption=
| size = {{steady}} Fewer than 1,500 (2010 {{estimation}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/255#note17 |title=Caucasus Emirate {{!}} Mapping Militant Organizations<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2021-09-18 |archive-date=2019-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308224534/http://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/255#note17 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|groups=
| slogan = «Победа или рай»<br />({{translation|"Victory or Heaven"}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://yablor.ru/blogs/terakt-vo-vladikavkaze-ne-obyavlennaya-voynauspesh/733750 |title=Теракт во Владикавказе. Не объявленная война.«Успешная» антитеррористическая деятельность -18 жертв<!-- The title was added by a bot --> |access-date=2021-01-30 |archive-date=2021-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203171119/https://yablor.ru/blogs/terakt-vo-vladikavkaze-ne-obyavlennaya-voynauspesh/733750 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|active=31 October 2007 – present
| allies = ] ]<br />] ]
|ideology= ] <br />]Sufi Nationalism
| opponents = * {{flag|Russia}}
|leaders=]
* {{flag|Ba'athist Syria}}
|factions=test
* {{flag|Georgia}}
|headquarters=bases in ]
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
|area=Russia
* {{flag|Armenia}}
|previous= ] ]
* {{flag|Turkey}}
|next=
| battles = ]<br />]<ref name="syria">{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/05/caucasus-emirate-in-syria-fighting-in-aleppo.php|title=Caucasus Emirate in Syria fighting in Aleppo|publisher=The Long War Journal|date=17 May 2016|access-date=2 August 2016|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163408/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/05/caucasus-emirate-in-syria-fighting-in-aleppo.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
|allies=] ]<br>]<br>]
| flag = ]
|opponents= {{flag|Russian Federation}}
|battles=]
}} }}


The '''Caucasus Emirate''' ({{lang-ce|Имарат Кавказ ''Imarat Kavkaz''}}; {{lang-ru|Кавказский Эмират ''Kavkazskiy Emirat''}}), also known as the '''Caucasian Emirate''', is a self-proclaimed virtual state entity in ],<ref>http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/chechnya.htm</ref><ref>, Mairbek Vatchagaev, The Jamestown Foundation, September 26, 2008 09:56 AM</ref><ref>, Sergei Davydov, "Prague Watchdog", June 6th 2009</ref> partially a successor to the ] and the ] military organization, and was officially announced on October 31, 2007, by former ] ], who became the first ]. Both the ] and the United States have designated the Caucasus Emirate as a ] organisation.<ref> — '']'' (08.02.2010)</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/05/164312.htm|title=Designation of Caucasus Emirate|author=|publisher=US Department of State|date=26 May 2011}}</ref> The ] has offered ]5&nbsp;million for information leading to the capture of the group's leader, ].<ref name="us_terrorist">{{cite news|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/us-offers-5m-for-umarov/437648.html|title=U.S. Offers $5M for Umarov |author=|publisher=The Moscow Times|date=27 May 2011}}</ref> On July 29, 2011, the United Nations Security Council ] added the Caucasus Emirate to the list of entities associated with ].<ref name="un.org">{{cite web |title=QE.E.131.11. EMARAT KAVKAZ |work=Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaeda and associated individuals and entities |date=29 July 2011 |url=http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/NSQE13111E.shtml}}</ref> The '''Caucasus Emirate''' ({{langx|ce|Имарат Кавказ, ИК|Imarat Kavkaz}}, '''IK'''; {{langx|ru|Кавказский эмират|Kavkazskiy emirat}}), also known as the '''Caucasian Emirate''', '''Emirate of Caucasus''', or '''Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus''',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hahn |first=Gordon M. |title=Getting the Caucasus Emirate Right: A Report of the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2011 |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-89206-665-0 |pages=8}}</ref> was a ] organisation active in rebel-held parts of ] and previously in the ] region of ]. Its intention was to expel the Russian presence from the North Caucasus and to establish an independent ] in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Profile: Caucasus Emirates|url=http://www.adl.org/combating-hate/international-extremism-terrorism/c/profile-caucasus-emirates.html|publisher=ADL|access-date=7 April 2014|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512060929/http://www.adl.org/combating-hate/international-extremism-terrorism/c/profile-caucasus-emirates.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Caucasus Emirate'' also referred to the state that the group sought to establish.<ref name=ctc26Mar14/><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221844/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=5189 |date=2016-03-03 }}, Mairbek Vatchagaev, The Jamestown Foundation, September 26, 2008 09:56 AM</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116191323/http://www.watchdog.cz/?show=000000-000024-000004-000004&lang=1 |date=2022-11-16 }}, Sergei Davydov, "Prague Watchdog", June 6th 2009</ref> The creation of Caucasus Emirate was announced on 7 October 2007, by Chechen warlord ], who became its first self-declared "]".<ref name=declaration> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512025515/http://southdistr.eng.kavkaz-uzel.ru/articles/11635/ |date=2011-05-12 }}, ''Caucasian Knot'', 7 October 2009.</ref>


By late 2015, the group no longer had a visible presence in the North Caucasus, as most of its members defected to the local ] affiliate, ].<ref name="peters">{{cite web|title=The Petersburg Jihadi Attack in Context: Recent Developments in Jihadism in Russia, 2014–2017|url=https://gordonhahn.com/2017/04/07/the-petersburg-jihadi-attack-in-context-recent-developments-in-jihadism-in-russia-2014-2017/|website=Russian and Eurasian Politics|access-date=9 April 2017|date=7 April 2017|archive-date=29 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829140006/https://gordonhahn.com/2017/04/07/the-petersburg-jihadi-attack-in-context-recent-developments-in-jihadism-in-russia-2014-2017/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Declaration==

==History==
{{See also|History of Chechnya}} {{See also|History of Chechnya}}


===Background===
On October 31, 2007, the separatist news agency ] reported that the ] ] had proclaimed an ] in the ] and declared himself its ], thereby abolishing the ] and its presidency.<ref name="Release"> {{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> The declaration of the Caucasian Emirate was quickly condemned by ], Umarov's own minister of foreign affairs; Zakayev, who lives in exile in London, called upon all Chechen separatist fighters and politicians to pledge allegiance directly to his ] in an attempt to isolate Umarov from power.<ref></ref> Zakayev also expressed regret that Umarov had caved in to pressure from "]s" and committed a "crime" that undermines the legitimacy of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.<ref></ref> Umarov said that he did not need any sanction from the Majlis-ul-] (the ] of rebel field commanders) or anybody else to declare the ], as it is "his duty as a ]" to establish an ] "as required by ]."
Following the ], ] nationalists, led by ], declared the secession of ] from Russia as an independent ] (ChRI). Following two devastating wars with the Russian Federation in the nineties, the ChRI fought an ] against the Russian forces and their Chechen allies from 2000, initially under the leadership of ]. Although the ChRI was largely founded by ] Muslims motivated by nationalism, over time the literalist ] form of Islam became increasingly popular with some Chechens, leading to a schism between nationalists and Salafists. As many of the original nationalist figures were killed by Russian forces, the insurgency took on an increasingly Salafist tone embodied by commanders like ] and the Arab fighter ]. Many of the surviving nationalists gave up the fight, and by the time Dokka Umarov was declared President of Ichkeria in June 2006, Islamists held increasing influence in the movement.<ref name=ctc26Mar14/>


===Declaration===
], a top rebel leader from the Russia's ] (KBR), took credit for the idea of establishing the Emirate. He said he had unsuccessfully tried to persuade the Chechen rebel commander ] to do this in ] in 2005, but Basayev strongly declined and instead he demanded the KBR rebel leaders pledge an ] to the Chechen President ] in return of the Chechen assistance in ]; supposedly, Basayev's death in 2006 paved the way for the declaration of the Emirate.<ref name=idea></ref>
On 7 October 2007, ] ] abolished the ] and its presidency and proclaimed an ] in the ], declaring himself its ].<ref name="declaration"/> The declaration of the Caucasus Emirate was quickly condemned by ], Umarov's own minister of foreign affairs; Zakayev, who lives in exile in London, called upon all Chechen separatist fighters and politicians to pledge allegiance directly to his ] in an attempt to isolate Umarov from power.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804141054/http://www.chechenpress.co.uk/english/news/2007/10/31/05.shtml |date=August 4, 2008 }}</ref> Zakayev also expressed regret that Umarov had caved in to pressure from "]s" and committed a "crime" that undermines the legitimacy of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/11/cb5cbb01-fd76-4e85-af8a-3bec1baf4ec2.html|title=Chechnya: In Video, Separatist Leader Declares 'Jihad' On West|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=2 February 2012|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=11 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611065211/http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/11/cb5cbb01-fd76-4e85-af8a-3bec1baf4ec2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Umarov said that he did not need any sanction from the Majlis-ul-] (the ] of rebel field commanders) or anybody else to declare the Emirate, as it is "his duty as a ]" to establish an ] "as required by ]".


===Leadership crisis===
In the same October 2007 statement in which Umarov proclaimed the Caucasian Emirate, he also described the United States, Great Britain and ] as common enemies of Muslims worldwide.<ref></ref> However, on November 20, 2007, Anzor Astemirov, head of the ], said that "Even if we wanted to threaten America and Europe every day, it is clear for anybody who understands politics that we do not have any real clashes of interests . The people in the ] know very well that we have nothing to do with America at the moment." In his statement, Astemirov not only described the Caucasian rebels' threats against the West as empty, but also even asked the United States for assistance in their fight against "Russian aggression."<ref></ref> Following its criticism, many rebel websites removed the phrase that regarded Western countries as enemies.<ref></ref>
On 1 August 2010 ], the official web site of the Emirate, distributed a video where Dokka Umarov indicated that he had stepped down from his position as Emir and appointed ] to become his successor.<ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite web|title=Chechen rebel leader 'steps down'|work=]|date=August 2, 2010|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081225749844675.html|access-date=7 August 2010|archive-date=5 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805105131/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081225749844675.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, a few days later, on 3 August 2010,<ref name="LWJ">{{cite web|title=Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov retracts resignation|author=Bill Roggio|date=August 4, 2010|work=]|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/08/caucasus_emirate_lea.php|access-date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527040832/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/08/caucasus_emirate_lea.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Umarov said he had no intention of stepping down and called the video announcing his resignation a fabrication.<ref name="LWJ"/><ref name="aljazeera2">{{cite web|title=Chechen rebel chief denies quitting|work=]|date=August 4, 2010|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201084123832188820.html|access-date=7 August 2010|archive-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513155400/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201084123832188820.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title="Palace Coup" Reveals Split between Umarov and Rebel Commander Aslanbek Vadalov|journal=]|volume=7|issue=152|date=August 6, 2010|author=Mairbek Vatchagaev|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=36725&cHash=8eed570ae3|access-date=September 20, 2010|archive-date=April 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408110628/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=36725&cHash=8eed570ae3|url-status=live}}</ref> The announcements drove the emirate into a state of turmoil, with several key rebel leaders resigning their loyalty to Umarov.<ref name="Al Jazeera">{{cite web|title=Power Struggle Among Russia's Militants|date=August 19, 2010|work=Al Jazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081225749844675.html|access-date=August 2, 2010|archive-date=August 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802191923/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081225749844675.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This combined with the death of ] is believed to have paved the way for ], ] and ] to re-affirm their allegiance to Umarov.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/caucasus_emirate_cla_1.php#ixzz1TKEnDQLI|title=Internal divisions resolved, claims Caucasus Emirate|work=The Long War Journal|date=25 July 2011|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=3 August 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803191613/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/caucasus_emirate_cla_1.php%23ixzz1TKEnDQLI|url-status=live}}</ref> Umarov would die in September 2013 from food poisoning. ] was announced 6 months later as his successor.<ref name=umarovdeath/>


== Structure == ===Decline===
In the period from 2010 to 2014, the number of casualties in the North Caucasus insurgency declined each year, with the overall death toll falling by more than half.<ref name=decline>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/insurgency-north-caucasus-terrorism-isis/26840778.html|work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|title=Why Is The Death Toll Tumbling In The North Caucasus?|date=10 February 2015|access-date=17 February 2015|archive-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423194324/http://www.rferl.org/content/insurgency-north-caucasus-terrorism-isis/26840778.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Reasons suggested for the decline include the deaths of high-ranking insurgency commanders, the increased targeting by security forces of the support infrastructure relied on by the insurgents, and an exodus of insurgents to other conflict zones.<ref name=decline/>
]
]
The Caucasus Emirate is claimed to be composed of the following '']'' (provinces):<ref></ref>


Starting in November 2014, mid-level commanders of the Caucasus Emirate began publicly switching their allegiance from Emirate leader ] to the ] leader ], following al-Baghdadi and his group's declaration of a ] earlier in the year.<ref name=refrl13Feb15>{{cite news|title=Caucasus Emirate and Islamic State Split Slows Militant Activities in North Caucasus|newspaper=Jamestown|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=43542&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=817653426dd1c50e08a874b89567939a#.VOKW5vmUe4Y|date=13 February 2014|access-date=17 February 2015|publisher=]|archive-date=17 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417080110/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=43542&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=7&cHash=817653426dd1c50e08a874b89567939a#.VOKW5vmUe4Y|url-status=live}}</ref> By February 2015, many commanders of the Emirate's Vilayat Nokhchicho and Vilayat Dagestan had defected.<ref name=refrl13Feb15/><ref name="rferl02Jan15">{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.mobi/a/islamic-state-north-caucasus-insurgency-commanders-allegiance/26773615.html|title=Six North Caucasus Insurgency Commanders Transfer Allegiance To Islamic State|author=Liz Fuller|date=2015-01-02|newspaper=]|access-date=2015-02-17|archive-date=2016-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412195411/http://www.rferl.mobi/a/islamic-state-north-caucasus-insurgency-commanders-allegiance/26773615.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Loyalists within the Emirate released statements denouncing them, and accused the most senior defector, ], of betrayal.<ref name="lwj31dec14">{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/12/jihadists_in_dagesta.php|title=Dagestani jihadist swears allegiance to Islamic State, invoking backlash|date=2014-12-31|publisher=]|access-date=2015-02-17|archive-date=2015-01-28|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150128050010/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/12/jihadists_in_dagesta.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lwj16feb15">{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/02/jihadist_leader_in_d.php|title=New jihadist leader in Dagestan denounces Islamic State defectors|date=2015-02-16|publisher=]|access-date=2015-02-17|archive-date=2018-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119033957/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/02/jihadist_leader_in_d.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Vilayat Nokhchicho leader ] pledged allegiance to al-Baghdadi in June 2015,<ref name=demise>{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44051&cHash=973198e3db1a533a0115a648cad28b2a#.VYNxKfmqqko|title=What Caused the Demise of the Caucasus Emirate?|newspaper=Jamestown|date=18 June 2015|publisher=]|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310001734/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=44051&cHash=973198e3db1a533a0115a648cad28b2a#.VYNxKfmqqko|url-status=live}}</ref> and an audio statement was released in the same month purportedly pledging allegiance on behalf of militants in Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44086&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=a29e6568ca638e2c94b89a2be9cd6d18#.VZCIX_mqqkp|title=Two North Caucasus Rebel Leaders Face Off in Islamic State–Caucasus Emirate Dispute|newspaper=Jamestown|date=2015-06-26|publisher=The Jamestown Foundation|access-date=2015-06-28|quote=“We testify that all Mujahideen of the Caucasus—in the Velayats of Nokhchiycho , Dagestan, Galgaicho and KBK —are united in their decision and we do not have differences among ourselves.”|archive-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181055/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=44086&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=7&cHash=a29e6568ca638e2c94b89a2be9cd6d18#.VZCIX_mqqkp|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 June 2015, IS's spokesman ] accepted these pledges and announced the creation of a ], a new branch operating in the ] region. Adnani named Asildarov as its leader and called on other militants in the region to follow him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/islamic-state-spokesman-calls-on-other-factions-to-repent.php|title=Islamic State spokesman calls on other factions to 'repent,' urges sectarian war|date=23 June 2015|publisher=The Long War Journal|quote=Baghdadi, the “Emir of the Faithful,” has “accepted your bayat and has appointed the noble sheikh Abu Muhammad al Qadarī as Wali over ,” Adnani says.|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019131942/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/islamic-state-spokesman-calls-on-other-factions-to-repent.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/isis-declares-governorate-russia%E2%80%99s-north-caucasus-region|title=ISIS Declares Governorate in Russia's North Caucasus Region|date=23 June 2015|publisher=Institute for the Study of War|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204072949/http://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/isis-declares-governorate-russia%E2%80%99s-north-caucasus-region|archive-date=4 December 2015}}</ref>
*Vilayat Nokhchicho (])
*] (] and ])
*Vilayat Cherkessia (] and southern part of ])
*] (])
*] (] and the greater part of ])
*Vilayat Nogay steppe (northern part of ] and ])
*Vilayat Iriston (]) was abolished in 2009 in a decree issued by Umarov that subsumed it into Vilayat Galgaycho<ref name=omra1></ref>


The Caucasus Emirate continued to operate independently,<ref>{{cite web|title=Amid defections, Islamic Caucasus Emirate publicly recognizes new leader|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/amid-defections-islamic-caucasus-emirate-publicly-recognizes-new-leader.php|date=6 July 2015|access-date=12 July 2015|publisher=Long War Journal|archive-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710061007/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/amid-defections-islamic-caucasus-emirate-publicly-recognizes-new-leader.php|url-status=live}}</ref> but suffered further high-profile losses, including the killing by Russian security forces of Kebekov in April 2015,<ref name="KebekovDead">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-dagestan-idUSKBN0NB0VI20150420|title=Russia says kills head of North Caucasus Islamist insurgency|publisher=Reuters|date=20 April 2015|access-date=21 April 2015|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002191056/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/20/us-russia-dagestan-idUSKBN0NB0VI20150420|url-status=live}}</ref> and his successor ] several months later.<ref name=successor3/><ref name=killed/> By late 2015, the militants still operating in Russia's North Caucasus Republics had largely unified under IS's Caucasus Province.<ref name="jamestown161115">{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44597&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=b1c5cc5471d4941280b025889df6c210#.VklVaHYrLIV|title=Islamic State Apparently Wins Its Competition With Caucasus Emirate|newspaper=Jamestown|date=2015-11-13|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|access-date=2015-11-16|archive-date=2015-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116141144/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=44597&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=7&cHash=b1c5cc5471d4941280b025889df6c210#.VklVaHYrLIV|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, rumors of resurgence of Caucasus Emirate were spread, however, this claim has yet to be confirmed.
However, according to Umarov, the bases of the rebel fighters loyal to him "spread from ] to ]."<ref name=idea/>


==Organizational structure==
In August 2008 ], an ideologue and a spokesman for the Caucasus Emirate, said that "as Dokka Umarov very accurately observed, this Islamic state does not yet have any borders. It’s not correct to say that we want to build some sort of enclave on the territory of these North Caucasus republics. No, today many Muslims living in ], ], ], Russians from the most widely differing regions of Russia who have accepted Islam, swear an oath of allegiance to Dokka Umarov as the legitimate leader of the Muslims. And wherever he is – in Moscow, ], ] – when a Muslim swears that oath, he becomes a fighting unit. Just because these people are not visible in their cities just now and are not active, that doesn’t mean that they won’t become active in the future."<ref></ref>


===Overview===
In May 2009, Umarov established a consultative body, or ], for the Caucasus Emirate consisting of nine top commanders. At the time of the announcement, the positions and the individuals holding them were – Naib (Deputy) Emir (]), Military Emir (]), ] (]), Emir of Vilayat Galgaycho (]), Emir of the United Vilayat of Kabarda, Balkaria and Karachay (]), Emir of Vilayat Dagestan (]), Emir of the Eastern Sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho (]), Emir of the South-Western sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho (]), and Emir of the ] (]).<ref name=omra2></ref>
]
]
The Caucasus Emirate was claimed to be composed of the following '']'' (provinces):
*] (]) Self proclaimed capital city was Dzokhar-Ghala ({{langx|ce|Джохар-ГӀала}}) (Grozny)
*] (] and ]) Self proclaimed capital city was Magas ({{langx|inh|Магас}}), until 9 May 2009, and Buro ({{langx|inh|Буро}}) (Vladikavkaz) from 9 May 2009
*] (] and southern part of ]) Self proclaimed capital city was Miequapa ({{langx|ady|Мыекъуапэ}}) (Maykop)
*Vilayat Nogai Steppe (Stavropol Krai and northern part of Krasnodar Krai) Self proclaimed capital city was Nogai-Shakhar ({{langx|nog|Ногай-Шахар}}) (Stavropol)
*] (]) Self proclaimed capital city was Shamilkala ({{langx|ru|Шамилькала}}) (Makhachkala)
*] (] and Karachay-Cherkessia) Self proclaimed capital cities were Nalshik ({{langx|kbd|Налшык}}), Tirniawuz ({{langx|krc|Тырныаўуз}}), Qarachay shakhar({{langx|krc|Къарачай шахар}})
*] (]) Self proclaimed capital city was Dzhikhadqæw ({{langx|os|Джихадхъæу/Джихадгъæу}}) (Vladikavkaz) was abolished in 2009 in a decree issued by Umarov that subsumed it into Vilayat Galgayche<ref name="omra2">{{cite web|url=http://worldanalysis.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=637|title=New decrees of Dokka Umarov on formation of a Council of the Caucasus Emirate and abolition of the Province of Iriston - Caucasus - News : WorldAnalysis.net|author=Casey Britton|work=worldanalysis.net|access-date=19 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220192353/http://worldanalysis.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=637|archive-date=20 December 2014}}</ref>


In August 2008 ], an ideologue and a spokesman for the Caucasus Emirate, said that "as Dokka Umarov very accurately observed, this Islamic state does not yet have any borders. It’s not correct to say that we want to build some sort of enclave on the territory of these North Caucasus republics. No, today many Muslims living in ], ], ], Russians from the most widely differing regions of Russia who have accepted Islam, swear an oath of allegiance to Dokka Umarov as the legitimate leader of the Muslims. And wherever he is – in Moscow, ], ] – when a Muslim swears that oath, he becomes a fighting unit. Just because these people are not visible in their cities just now and are not active, that doesn’t mean that they won’t become active in the future."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.watchdog.cz/?show=000000-000015-000006-000042&lang=1|title=We have taken up arms to establish laws (interview with Movladi Udugov)|work=Prague Watchdog|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=21 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521111013/http://www.watchdog.cz/?show=000000-000015-000006-000042&lang=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Caucasus Emirate maintains a Supreme Sharia Court, which is headed by a ]. This position has been held by ] (killed in March 2010), ] (killed August 2010), and ].<ref name=qadi></ref>


In a May 2011 interview posted on the pro Caucasus Emirate ] website, Umarov stated "Now we know that we should not secede, but must unite with our brothers in faith. We must recapture ], ], ] and indigenous Muslim lands."<ref name=james2>{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=37956|title=Pro-Rebel Website Posts Transcript of Interview with Doku Umarov|newspaper=Jamestown|date=20 May 2011|publisher=]|access-date=25 February 2014|archive-date=2 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302140844/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=37956|url-status=live}}</ref>
In early 2009, Dokka Umarov announced the revival of the ] ]ers unit ]<ref name=rferl>, ], August 18, 2009</ref> under the command of ] (killed March 2010) and ].


===Leadership===
Professor Gordon M. Hahn of the ], described the Caucasus Emirate to be a decentralized organisation, but structured hierarchically with Emir Dokku Umarov appointing the Emirs of each Vilayat or Province, who in turn swear him a bay'at or oath of allegiance. Each vilayat contains multiple Fronts or Sectors, which in turn contain multiple Jamaats or units. The vilayats, sectors and local jamaats independantly raise funds, recruit members and carry out operations, while following the overall strategy as set by the Emirate's leadership. <ref name=CSIS>, ], 1 September, 2011</ref>
Professor Gordon M. Hahn of the ], described the Caucasus Emirate to be a decentralized organisation, but structured hierarchically with Emir Dokku Umarov appointing the Emirs of each Vilayat or Province, who in turn swore him a bay'at or oath of allegiance. Each vilayat contained multiple Fronts or Sectors, which in turn contained multiple Jamaats or units. The vilayats, sectors and local jamaats independently raised funds, recruited members and carried out operations, while following the overall strategy as set by the Emirate's leadership.<ref name=CSIS> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626023836/http://csis.org/files/publication/110930_Hahn_GettingCaucasusEmirateRt_Web.pdf |date=2013-06-26 }}, ], 1 September 2011</ref>


In May 2009, Umarov established a ruling consultative body, or ], for the Caucasus Emirate consisting of his top commanders. At the time of the announcement, the positions and the individuals holding them were:<ref name="omra2"/>
== Leadership Dispute ==
*] – Naib (Deputy) Emir – deceased 28 March 2011
On 1 August 2010 ], the official web site of the Emirate, distributed a video where Dokka Umarov indicated that he had stepped down from his position as Emir and appointed ] to became his successor.<ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite web | title = Chechen rebel leader 'steps down' | work= ] | date = August 2, 2010 | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081225749844675.html |accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref><ref name="Dokku resigned original">{{cite web | title = CE’s Emir Dokku Abu Usman resigned and appointed Aslambek Vadalov Emir of the Caucasus Emirate | url = http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/08/01/12339.shtml | date = August 1, 2010 | archivedate = August 1, 2010 | publisher = ] | archiveurl = http://riddickro.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/4271/ }}</ref><ref name="Vadalov Youtube">{{Cite video | title = Aslambek Vadalov – Emir of the Caucasus Emirate | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj59l_a2dbc | date = August 1, 2010 | publisher = ] | location = ] | accessdate=3 August 2010}}</ref> However, on 3 August 2010,<ref name="LWJ">{{cite web | title = Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov retracts resignation | author = Bill Roggio | date = August 4, 2010 | work = ] | url = http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2010/08/caucasus_emirate_lea.php }}</ref> the original announcement had been replaced by one which stated, that Umarov only "proposed to appoint" Vadalov his successor.<ref name="Dokku resigned">{{cite web | title = CE Emir Dokku Abu Usman announced a successor and proposed to appoint Aslambek Vadalov as Emir of the Caucasus Emirate | url = http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/08/01/12339.shtml | date = August 2, 2010 | accessdate = August 3, 2010 | publisher = ] }}</ref> A few days later Umarov said he had no intention of stepping down and called the video announcing his resignation a fabrication.<ref name="LWJ" /><ref name="aljazeera2">{{cite web | title = Chechen rebel chief denies quitting | work= ] | date = August 4, 2010 | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201084123832188820.html |accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref><ref name="Dokku returns">{{cite web | title = Emir of the Caucasus Emirate Dokku Abu Usman cancels his resignation, calling it fabricated, and makes special statement on this occasion (video) | url = http://www.kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2010/08/04/12346.shtml | date = August 4, 2010 | accessdate = August 4, 2010 | publisher = ] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title="Palace Coup" Reveals Split between Umarov and Rebel Commander Aslanbek Vadalov |journal=] |volume=7 |issue=152 |date=August 6, 2010 |author=Mairbek Vatchagaev |url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=36725&cHash=8eed570ae3 }}</ref> The announcements drove the emirate into a state of turmoil, with several key rebel leaders resigning their loyalty to Umarov.<ref name="Al Jazeera">{{cite web |title=Power Struggle Among Russia's Militants |date=August 19, 2010 |work=Al Jazeera|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/08/201081225749844675.html }}</ref> According to ] Umarov had prerecorded a stepping down message to be used in case of his disappearance, which was most likely leaked prematurely. In July 2011, a sharia court ruled in favour of Dokka Umarov.<ref>{{cite web |title=Split among Chechen Mujahideen overcome |date=25 July 2011 |work=] |location=] |publisher=] |url=http://www.kavkazcenter.info/eng/content/2011/07/25/14812.shtml }}</ref> This combined with the death of ] is believed to have paved the way for ], ] and ] to re-affirm their allegiance to Umarov.<ref>http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/caucasus_emirate_cla_1.php#ixzz1TKEnDQLI</ref>
*] – Military Emir and Emir of Vilayat Galgayche – arrested 9 June 2010
*] – ] and Emir of the United Vilayat of Kabarda-Balkaria-Karachay – deceased 24 March 2010
*] – Emir of Vilayat Dagestan – deceased 31 December 2009
*] – Emir of the Eastern Sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho – arrested 5 November 2016
*] – Emir of the South-Western sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho – arrested 5 November 2016
*] – Emir of the ] – deceased 21 April 2011


The Caucasus Emirate maintained a Supreme Sharia Court, which was headed by a ]. This position had been held by ] (killed in March 2010), ] (killed August 2010), and ] (killed in April 2015).<ref name=qadi>{{cite web|url=http://kavkaz-jihad.blogspot.com/2010/10/omra-24-appointement-of-ali-abu.html|title=Omra №24 : Appointement of Ali Abu-Muhammad al-Dagestani (ha) as the new Supreme Qadi of the CE|work=kavkaz-jihad.blogspot.com|access-date=19 May 2015}}</ref>
==External Relations==


In early 2009, Dokka Umarov announced the revival of the ] ]ers unit ],<ref name=rferl> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228194724/http://www.rferl.org/content/Surge_In_North_Caucasus_Violence_Reflects_Diversification_Of_Resistance_Tactics/1802629.html |date=2014-02-28 }}, ], August 18, 2009</ref> which has been led by ] (killed March 2010) and ].
===Reaction to the 2008 South Ossetia war===
{{Main|2008 South Ossetia war}}


Umarov died due to food poisoning on 7 September 2013.<ref name=umarovdeath>{{cite web|title=Insurgency Commanders Divulge Details Of Umarov's Death|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/insurgency-commanders-divulge-of-umarovs-death/25467747.html|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=23 July 2014|access-date=1 August 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072832/http://www.rferl.org/content/insurgency-commanders-divulge-of-umarovs-death/25467747.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/islamic_caucasus_emi_1.php|title=Islamic Caucasus Emirate confirms death of emir Doku Umarov|work=The Long War Journal|date=18 March 2014|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427113303/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/islamic_caucasus_emi_1.php|url-status=live}}</ref> He was succeeded by Aliaskhab Kebekov (killed April 2015)<ref name="KebekovDead"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/ali_abu_muhammad_al_dagestani.php |title=Ali Abu Muhammad al Dagestani, the new emir of the Islamic Caucasus Emirate {{!}} The Long War Journal<!-- Bot generated title --> |date=18 March 2014 |access-date=2015-05-19 |archive-date=2015-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527040838/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/03/ali_abu_muhammad_al_dagestani.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and ] (killed August 2015).<ref name=killed/>
On August 9, 2008 in response to the conflict between ] and Russia, Movladi Udugov stated that "for the time being neither ] nor ] has appealed to us with any requests or offers" to fight alongside Georgian forces against the Russian forces. Udugov also noted: "But I clearly can say that the command of the Caucasus Emirate is following with great interest the development of the situation."<ref></ref>


===NATO Bomb Plot=== ===Funding===
Caucasus Emirate received significant funds from overseas Islamic terrorist organizations, but the primary source of funding for the Caucasus Emirate was a wide range of criminal activity. Militants extorted money from local businessmen and residents in their areas of operation under the premise of a religious tax. Russian media reports in early 2011 claimed that militants extorted a 20 per cent "jihad" tax from prominent figures considered to be pro-government. In addition to extortion, Russian officials have alleged that Caucasus Emirate militants also derived funds from involvement in ] and ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915183948/https://www.ihs.com/pdf/IHS-Janes-World-Insurg-Terror_Imarat-Kavkaz_146073110913052132.pdf |date=2016-09-15 }}, IHS.com, 2014</ref>
In December 2010, Austrian police arrested a Chechen refugee on suspicion of planning a militant attack on NATO targets. "Belgian authorities suspect a group of Chechen extremists, who were seeking to set up a religious state in northern Chechnya, planned to attack NATO facilities in Belgium," Interior Ministry spokesman Rudolf Gollia said.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/austria-arrests-chechen-in-belgian-nato-plot/425658.html|title=Austria Arrests Chechen in Belgian NATO Plot|publisher=The Moscow Times|date=2010-12-06}}</ref>


==External relations==
===Boston Bombing and Sochi Olympics===
After it was revealed that the suspects in the ] were ethnic Chechens, the Command of ] denied any link to the bombing or the Tsarnaev brothers and stated that it was at war with Russia, not the United States. It also said that it had sworn off violence against civilians since 2012.<ref>{{Citation | first1 = Courtney | last1 = Weaver | first2 = Charles | last2 = Clover | url = http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/8c2ddf8e-aa80-11e2-bc0d-00144feabdc0.html | title = Russian militant group denies Boston link | newspaper = The ] | date = April 21, 2013}}.</ref><ref></ref> The statement said "The Command of the ] indicates in this regard that the Caucasian Mujahideen are not fighting against the United States of America. We are at war with Russia, which is not only responsible for the occupation of the Caucasus, but also for heinous crimes against Muslims. Also, remember that even in respect to the enemy state of Russia, which is fighting the Caucasus Emirate, there is an order by the Emir ], which prohibits strikes on civilian targets. <ref></ref> In July 2013, Doku Umarov released a video message rescinding his prior directions not to attack civilians, declaring that the Russians had construed the declaration as a sign of weakness and had stepped up attacks in the North Caucasus. <ref name=Sochi></ref>


===Western countries===
In a July 2013 video release, Umarov called for attacks on the ], stating that the Games were being staged "]".<ref name=Sochi />
In the same October 2007 statement in which Umarov proclaimed the Caucasian Emirate, he also described the United States, Great Britain and ] as common enemies of Muslims worldwide.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106150400/http://www.jihadunspun.com/intheatre_internal.php?article=109196&list=%2Fhome.php |date=January 6, 2009 }}</ref> However, on November 20, 2007, ], then head of the ], said that "Even if we wanted to threaten America and Europe every day, it is clear for anybody who understands politics that we do not have any real clashes of interests . The people in the ] know very well that we have nothing to do with America at the moment." In his statement, Astemirov not only described the Caucasian rebels' threats against the West as empty, but also even asked the United States for assistance in their fight against "Russian aggression".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://jamestown.org/program/is-the-caucasian-emirate-a-threat-to-the-western-world/ |access-date=2020-11-22 |date=2007-12-07 |title=Is the Caucasian Emirate a Threat to the Western World? |newspaper=Jamestown |first1=Andrei |last1=Smirnov |archive-date=2020-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129200211/https://jamestown.org/program/is-the-caucasian-emirate-a-threat-to-the-western-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following its criticism, many rebel websites removed the phrase that regarded Western countries as enemies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamestown.org/chechnya_weekly/article.php?articleid=2373971|title=North Caucasus Weekly|work=Jamestown Foundation|access-date=19 May 2015}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


===Reaction to the 2008 Russo-Georgian War===
=== Syrian Civil War ===
{{Main|Russo-Georgian War}}
A number of Chechen and other North Caucasian volunteers travelled to fight in the ] against the government of ]. Dokku Umarov released a video in November 2012 expressing support for all those trying to install Sharia law in Syria, but rebuked those who had weakened the Jihad in the North Caucasus by leaving to fight there.<ref name=jamestown28Jun>=41091&tx_ttnews=7&cHash=e52244ad41ac68df14f5f09a58799d97#.Utxt0qwzE5t Caucasus Emirate Reverses Position on Syrian Jihad], Mairbek Vatchagaev, The Jamestown Foundation, 28 June 2013</ref> However, as the war went on and North Caucasians took an increasingly prominent role in the fighting owing to the combat experience, those who went to fight in Syrian were viewed increasingly positively by the Emirates websites and supporters.


On August 9, 2008, in response to the conflict between ] and Russia, Movladi Udugov stated that "for the time being neither ] nor ] has appealed to us with any requests or offers" to fight alongside Georgian forces against the Russian forces. Udugov also noted: "But I clearly can say that the command of the Caucasus Emirate is following with great interest the development of the situation."
In 2013, a Chechen known as Emir Salauddin was appointed as the official representative of the Caucasus Emirate in Syria.<ref name=jamestown28Jun /> In December 2013, the Chechen led Syrian Jihadist group ] split away from the ] and appointed Salauddin as their new commander, emphasising that they wished to continue respecting the ] they had made to the Caucasus Emirate's Dokku Umarov. <ref name=BBC3NOV13>{{cite news|title=Syria crisis: Omar Shishani, Chechen jihadist leader|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25151104|work=BBC|date=3 December 2013|accessdate=20 December 2013}}</ref>


===Syrian Civil War===
==List of Emirs of the Caucasus Emirate==
A number of Chechen and other North Caucasian volunteers travelled to fight in the ] against the government of ]. Dokku Umarov released a video in November 2012 expressing support for all those trying to install Sharia law in Syria, but rebuked those who had weakened the Jihad in the North Caucasus by leaving to fight there.<ref name=jamestown28Jun> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529183650/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=41091&tx_ttnews&#91;backPid&#93;=7&cHash=e52244ad41ac68df14f5f09a58799d97#.Utxt0qwzE5t |date=2016-05-29 }}, Mairbek Vatchagaev, The Jamestown Foundation, 28 June 2013</ref> However, as the war went on and North Caucasians took an increasingly prominent role in the fighting owing to their combat experience, those who went to fight in Syria were viewed increasingly positively by the Emirate's websites and supporters.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; width:90%"

In 2013, a Chechen known as ] was appointed as the official representative of the Caucasus Emirate in Syria.<ref name=jamestown28Jun/> In December 2013, the Chechen-led Syrian jihadist group ] (JMA) split away from the ] (ISIL) and appointed Salahuddin as their new commander, emphasising that they wished to continue respecting the ] they had made to the Caucasus Emirate's Dokku Umarov.<ref name=BBC3NOV13>{{cite news|title=Syria crisis: Omar Shishani, Chechen jihadist leader|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25151104|work=BBC|date=3 December 2013|access-date=20 December 2013|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521015135/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25151104|url-status=live}}</ref> Following his appointment as the Emirates new leader, ] advised the North Caucasians in Syria to remain independent rather than align with other groups. He also voiced support for Al-Qaeda affiliated ] and criticised ], the Chechen commander who formerly led JMA before joining IS.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=42587&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=af78595cf7cb3732319d514c41520fb6#.U7X4O4358QY|title=Statement by New Leader of Caucasus Emirate Creates Rift Among Chechen Groups Operating in Syria|publisher=Jamestown Foundation|date=3 July 2014|access-date=4 July 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714080926/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=42587&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=7&cHash=af78595cf7cb3732319d514c41520fb6#.U7X4O4358QY|url-status=live}}</ref> In mid 2015, JMA suffered a leadership split, and Salahuddin and those fighters loyal to him formed a smaller offshoot that reiterated their loyalty to the Caucasus Emirate.<ref name="split">{{cite web|title=Chechen commander in Syria pledges to Islamic Caucasus Emirate|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/chechen-commander-in-syria-pledges-to-islamic-caucasus-emirates.php|date=10 July 2015|access-date=12 July 2015|publisher=Long War Journal|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712211946/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/chechen-commander-in-syria-pledges-to-islamic-caucasus-emirates.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Designation as a terrorist organization==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- |-
|Country
!colspan=4|Emirs of Caucasus Emirate
|Date
|References
|- |-
|Russia
! style="width:05%;"|Order
|8 February 2010
!Name
|<ref name="russia">{{cite web|url=http://www.fsb.ru/fsb/npd/terror.htm|title=Single federal list of organizations recognized as terrorist by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation|access-date=2014-10-17|archive-date=2018-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224211726/http://www.fsb.ru/fsb/npd/terror.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Tenure
|- |-
|United States
|1
|26 May 2011
|]
|<ref name="us-fto">{{cite news|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/05/164312.htm|title=Designation of Caucasus Emirate|publisher=US Department of State|date=26 May 2011|access-date=24 June 2017|df=dmy-all|archive-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514092520/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/05/164312.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|31 October 2007 – 1 August 2010
|- |-
|United Nations
|2
|29 July 2011
|]
|<ref name=UN>{{cite web|title=QE.E.131.11. Emarat Kavkaz |work=Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaeda and associated individuals and entities |date=29 July 2011 |url=https://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/NSQE13111E.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105142014/http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1267/NSQE13111E.shtml |archive-date=November 5, 2014 }}</ref>
|1 August 2010 – 3 August 2010
|-
|United Kingdom
|December 2013
|<ref name="homeoffice">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266038/List_of_Proscribed_organisations.pdf |title=Proscribed terrorist groups |work=] |access-date=2014-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201175134/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/266038/List_of_Proscribed_organisations.pdf |archive-date=2014-02-01 }}</ref>
|-
|Canada
|24 December 2013
|<ref name="canada-2014-05-30">{{cite web|url=http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx|title=Currently listed entities|publisher=Publicsafety.gc.ca|access-date=2014-10-17|archive-date=2017-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202121931/https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|United Arab Emirates
|15 November 2014
|<ref name="United Arab Emirates">{{cite news|title=UAE publishes list of terrorist organisations |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/uae-publishes-list-of-terrorist-organisations-1.1412895 |access-date=20 December 2014 |work=Gulf News |date=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117190405/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/uae-publishes-list-of-terrorist-organisations-1.1412895 |archive-date=November 17, 2014 }}</ref>
|-
|Bahrain
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=12342&language=en-US|title=Bahrain Terrorist List (Individuals – entities)|access-date=2020-07-10|archive-date=2020-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017055422/https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=12342&language=en-US|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- |-
|Austria
|3
|7 July 2021
|]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2021/pk0852#XXVII_I_00854|title=Nationalrat beschließt Anti-Terror-Paket|access-date=2020-07-10|language=de}}</ref>
|3 August 2010 – Present
|} |}


==Claimed and alleged attacks==
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki>Note: There was confusion as to who was Emir, as Umarov issued a second video a few days later saying he had not stepped down.<ref name="aljazeera2" /></small>
* The Caucasus Emirate claimed responsibility for the ] in an online statement describing it as an "act of sabotage", and part of a series of operations targeting strategic sites in Russia.<ref name=BBCClaim>{{Cite news|title=North Caucasus group in Russia train bomb web claim|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8390258.stm|work=BBC News|date=2009-12-02|access-date=2009-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203051738/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8390258.stm|archive-date=3 December 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* The ] which left 40 people dead, and over 100 injured were ordered by ].<ref name="Metro">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8597792.stm|access-date=March 31, 2010|work=BBC News|title=Chechen rebel claims Metro blasts|date=March 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402181059/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8597792.stm|archive-date=2 April 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* In December 2010, Austrian police arrested a Chechen refugee on suspicion of planning an attack on NATO targets. "Belgian authorities suspect a group of Chechen extremists, who were seeking to set up a religious state in northern Chechnya, planned to attack NATO facilities in Belgium," Interior Ministry spokesman Rudolf Gollia said.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/austria-arrests-chechen-in-belgian-nato-plot/425658.html|title=Austria Arrests Chechen in Belgian NATO Plot|publisher=The Moscow Times|date=2010-12-06|access-date=2011-01-24|archive-date=2010-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207005635/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/austria-arrests-chechen-in-belgian-nato-plot/425658.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Caucasus Emirate claimed responsibility for the ], which killed at least 36 people.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12388681|title=Chechen warlord Doku Umarov admits Moscow airport bomb|work=BBC News|author=Steve Rosenberg|date=8 February 2011|access-date=8 February 2011|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428204703/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12388681|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The group was the prime suspect in the ] that occurred on 3 May 2012 and killed at least 13 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-dagestan-blast-idUSBRE8430E620120504|title=Twin bomb attacks kill 12 in Russia's Dagestan|work=Reuters|date=4 May 2012|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103122240/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/04/us-russia-dagestan-blast-idUSBRE8430E620120504|url-status=live}}</ref>
* After it was revealed that the perpetrators in the ] were ethnic Chechens, ] denied any link to the bombing or the Tsarnaev brothers and stated that it was at war with Russia, not the United States. It also said that it had sworn off violence against civilians since 2012.<ref>{{Citation|first1=Courtney|last1=Weaver|first2=Charles|last2=Clover|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/8c2ddf8e-aa80-11e2-bc0d-00144feabdc0.html|title=Russian militant group denies Boston link|newspaper=The ]|date=April 21, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2013|archive-date=April 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423090041/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/8c2ddf8e-aa80-11e2-bc0d-00144feabdc0.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/daghestan-insurgency-denies-any-role-in-boston-bombing/24964774.html|title=Daghestani Insurgency Denies Any Role In Boston Bombings|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=23 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423075616/http://www.rferl.org/content/daghestan-insurgency-denies-any-role-in-boston-bombing/24964774.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The statement said,<!-- missing end quote --> "The Command of the ] indicates in this regard that the Caucasian Mujahideen are not fighting against the United States of America. We are at war with Russia, which is not only responsible for the occupation of the Caucasus, but also for heinous crimes against Muslims. Also, remember that even in respect to the enemy state of Russia, which is fighting the Caucasus Emirate, there is an order by the Emir ], which prohibits strikes on civilian targets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kavkaz.org.uk/eng/content/2013/04/21/17679.shtml |title=Statement of the Command of Mujahideen of Caucasus Emirate's Dagestan Province in relation to events in Boston |work=kavkaz.org.uk |access-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207095208/http://www.kavkaz.org.uk/eng/content/2013/04/21/17679.shtml |archive-date=7 February 2014 }}</ref> In July 2013, Doku Umarov released a video message rescinding his prior directions not to attack civilians, declaring that the Russians had construed the declaration as a sign of weakness and had stepped up attacks in the North Caucasus.<ref name=Sochi>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/sochi-olympics-terrorism-umarov/25035408.html|title=Caucasus Emirate Leader Calls On Insurgents To Thwart Sochi Winter Olympics|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|date=3 July 2013|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=30 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130071614/http://www.rferl.org/content/sochi-olympics-terrorism-umarov/25035408.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The ] was blamed on the group.<ref name="Volgograd">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24608694|title=A bus explosion killed 4 people in Russia|work=BBC News|date=21 October 2013|access-date=21 October 2013|archive-date=21 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021115215/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24608694|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Emirate's Vilayat Dagestan claimed responsibility for the ]. The suicide bombings killed 34 people.<ref name=AP19Jan14>{{cite news|url=http://world.time.com/2014/01/19/russian-islamic-video-threatens-sochi-olympics/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140120055546/http://world.time.com/2014/01/19/russian-islamic-video-threatens-sochi-olympics/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 January 2014|title=Russian Islamic Video Threatens Sochi Olympics|agency=Associated Press|access-date=20 January 2014|date=19 January 2014}}</ref>
* The Caucasus Emirate took credit for a 5 October 2014 suicide bombing near the Grozny city hall. Five Russian police officers and the suicide bomber were killed, 12 other people were wounded.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29498909|title=Five killed in suicide bombing in Chechen capital|work=BBC News|date=5 October 2014|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909111818/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29498909|url-status=live}}</ref>
*] on 4 December 2014 between police and members of the Caucasus Emirate in Grozny left dozens dead.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329160348/http://www.svoboda.org/content/article/26724511.html |date=2016-03-29 }}, Radio Liberty, December 6, 2014.</ref>

==List of Emirs of the Caucasus Emirate==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
!Image
!Name<br />{{small|(Birth – Death)}}
!Term of Office
|-
|'''1'''
|]
|]<br />{{small|(1964–2013)}}
|7 October 2007 – 1 August 2010
|-
|'''–'''
|]
|]<br />{{small|(1972–)}}
|1 August 2010 – 3 August 2010
|-
|'''1'''
|]
|]<br />{{small|(1964–2013)}}
|3 August 2010 – 7 September 2013 (deceased)<ref name=umarovdeath/>
|-
|'''2'''
|
|]<br />{{small|(1972–2015)}}
|18 March 2014<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26634403|title=Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov 'dead'|work=BBC News|date=18 March 2014|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-date=4 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604234506/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26634403|url-status=live}}</ref> – 19 April 2015 (deceased)<ref name="KebekovDead"/>
|-
|'''3'''
|]
|]<br />{{small|(1976–2015)}}
|2 July 2015<ref name=successor3>{{cite news|url=http://www.janes.com/article/52736/osint-summary-appointment-of-new-emir-reaffirms-imarat-kavkaz-s-ties-to-al-qaeda|title=Appointment of new emir reaffirms Imarat Kavkaz's ties to Al-Qaeda|publisher=Jane's Information Group|date=2 July 2015|access-date=6 July 2015|quote=On 2 July, senior Imarat Kavkaz commanders in Dagestan announced via social media that Magomed Suleymanov (alias Abu-Uthman al-Ghaymrawi or Abu Usman Gimrinsky) had been appointed as the new emir of the group.|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706121309/http://www.janes.com/article/52736/osint-summary-appointment-of-new-emir-reaffirms-imarat-kavkaz-s-ties-to-al-qaeda|url-status=live}}</ref> – 11 August 2015 (deceased)<ref name=killed>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/caucasus-emirate-leader-killed-daghestan/27183272.html|title=Leader Of Self-Proclaimed Caucasus Emirate Killed In Daghestan|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=11 August 2015|access-date=11 August 2015|archive-date=12 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812154041/http://www.rferl.org/content/caucasus-emirate-leader-killed-daghestan/27183272.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|'''4'''
|]
|]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Узел |first=Кавказский |title=Шебзухов призвал боевиков вернуться в "Имарат Кавказ" |url=https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/275440/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Кавказский Узел |archive-date=2021-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831112346/https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/275440/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />{{small|(1986–2016)}}
|11 August 2015 – 17 August 2016 (deceased)
|}
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki>Note: There was confusion as to who was Emir, as Umarov issued a second video a few days later saying he had not stepped down.<ref name="aljazeera2"/></small>


==See also== ==See also==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*] *]
*]
*] *]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
{{reflist}}


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
*Gordon H. Hahn, , ], 1 September, 2011 * Hahn, Gordon H. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626023836/http://csis.org/files/publication/110930_Hahn_GettingCaucasusEmirateRt_Web.pdf |date=2013-06-26 }}, ], 1 September 2011
*, ], October 2012. * , ], October 2012.
* Rhodes, Darion. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903083632/http://www.ict.org.il/Article/132/Salafist-Takfiri%20Jihadism%20the%20Ideology%20of%20the%20Caucasus%20Emirate |date=2014-09-03 }}, ], March 2014
*Schaefer, Robert W. (2011), The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus: From Gazavat to Jihad , Praeger Security International, ISBN 0-31338-634-X
* Schaefer, Robert W. (2011), The Insurgency in Chechnya and the North Caucasus: From Gazavat to Jihad, Praeger Security International, {{ISBN|0-31338-634-X}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links== == External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Caucasus Emirate}}
* (In Russian)


{{Leaders of Chechnya}}
{{Chechen wars}} {{Chechen wars}}
{{Leaders of Chechnya}}


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Latest revision as of 18:34, 4 January 2025

Former jihadist organisation
Caucasus Emirate (IK)
Имарат Кавказ
LeadersDokka Umarov 
Aliaskhab Kebekov 
Magomed Suleimanov 
Foundation7 October 2007; 17 years ago (7 October 2007)
DissolvedAugust 2016; 8 years ago (August 2016)
Active regionsNorth Caucasus, West Asia
IdeologyPan-Islamism
Salafist-Takfiri Jihadism
Separatism
Islamic fundamentalism
Anti-imperialism
Slogan«Победа или рай»
(transl. "Victory or Heaven")
Notable attacks~ Insurgency in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia
~ Insurgency in Ingushetia
~ Insurgency in the North Caucasus
SizeSteady Fewer than 1,500 (2010 est.)
Allies Mujahideen in Chechnya
Riyad-us Saliheen
Opponents
Battles and warsSecond Chechen War
Syrian civil war
Flag
Preceded by
Caucasian FrontSucceeded by
Islamic State IS-CP

The Caucasus Emirate (Chechen: Имарат Кавказ, ИК, romanized: Imarat Kavkaz, IK; Russian: Кавказский эмират, romanizedKavkazskiy emirat), also known as the Caucasian Emirate, Emirate of Caucasus, or Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus, was a jihadist organisation active in rebel-held parts of Syria and previously in the North Caucasus region of Russia. Its intention was to expel the Russian presence from the North Caucasus and to establish an independent Islamic emirate in the region. The Caucasus Emirate also referred to the state that the group sought to establish. The creation of Caucasus Emirate was announced on 7 October 2007, by Chechen warlord Dokka Umarov, who became its first self-declared "emir".

By late 2015, the group no longer had a visible presence in the North Caucasus, as most of its members defected to the local Islamic State affiliate, Vilayat Kavkaz.

History

See also: History of Chechnya

Background

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Chechen nationalists, led by Dzhokhar Dudayev, declared the secession of Chechnya from Russia as an independent Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI). Following two devastating wars with the Russian Federation in the nineties, the ChRI fought an insurgency against the Russian forces and their Chechen allies from 2000, initially under the leadership of Aslan Maskhadov. Although the ChRI was largely founded by Sufi Muslims motivated by nationalism, over time the literalist Salafist form of Islam became increasingly popular with some Chechens, leading to a schism between nationalists and Salafists. As many of the original nationalist figures were killed by Russian forces, the insurgency took on an increasingly Salafist tone embodied by commanders like Shamil Basayev and the Arab fighter Khattab. Many of the surviving nationalists gave up the fight, and by the time Dokka Umarov was declared President of Ichkeria in June 2006, Islamists held increasing influence in the movement.

Declaration

On 7 October 2007, President of Ichkeria Dokka Umarov abolished the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and its presidency and proclaimed an Emirate in the Caucasus, declaring himself its Emir. The declaration of the Caucasus Emirate was quickly condemned by Akhmed Zakayev, Umarov's own minister of foreign affairs; Zakayev, who lives in exile in London, called upon all Chechen separatist fighters and politicians to pledge allegiance directly to his government in exile in an attempt to isolate Umarov from power. Zakayev also expressed regret that Umarov had caved in to pressure from "provocateurs" and committed a "crime" that undermines the legitimacy of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Umarov said that he did not need any sanction from the Majlis-ul-Shura (the council of rebel field commanders) or anybody else to declare the Emirate, as it is "his duty as a Muslim" to establish an Islamic state "as required by Sharia".

Leadership crisis

On 1 August 2010 Kavkaz Center, the official web site of the Emirate, distributed a video where Dokka Umarov indicated that he had stepped down from his position as Emir and appointed Aslambek Vadalov to become his successor. However, a few days later, on 3 August 2010, Umarov said he had no intention of stepping down and called the video announcing his resignation a fabrication. The announcements drove the emirate into a state of turmoil, with several key rebel leaders resigning their loyalty to Umarov. This combined with the death of Muhannad is believed to have paved the way for Hussein Gakayev, Aslambek Vadalov and Tarkhan Gaziyev to re-affirm their allegiance to Umarov. Umarov would die in September 2013 from food poisoning. Aliaskhab Kebekov was announced 6 months later as his successor.

Decline

In the period from 2010 to 2014, the number of casualties in the North Caucasus insurgency declined each year, with the overall death toll falling by more than half. Reasons suggested for the decline include the deaths of high-ranking insurgency commanders, the increased targeting by security forces of the support infrastructure relied on by the insurgents, and an exodus of insurgents to other conflict zones.

Starting in November 2014, mid-level commanders of the Caucasus Emirate began publicly switching their allegiance from Emirate leader Aliaskhab Kebekov to the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, following al-Baghdadi and his group's declaration of a caliphate earlier in the year. By February 2015, many commanders of the Emirate's Vilayat Nokhchicho and Vilayat Dagestan had defected. Loyalists within the Emirate released statements denouncing them, and accused the most senior defector, Rustam Asildarov, of betrayal. Vilayat Nokhchicho leader Aslan Byutukayev pledged allegiance to al-Baghdadi in June 2015, and an audio statement was released in the same month purportedly pledging allegiance on behalf of militants in Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. On 23 June 2015, IS's spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani accepted these pledges and announced the creation of a Caucasus Province, a new branch operating in the North Caucasus region. Adnani named Asildarov as its leader and called on other militants in the region to follow him.

The Caucasus Emirate continued to operate independently, but suffered further high-profile losses, including the killing by Russian security forces of Kebekov in April 2015, and his successor Magomed Suleimanov several months later. By late 2015, the militants still operating in Russia's North Caucasus Republics had largely unified under IS's Caucasus Province. In 2023, rumors of resurgence of Caucasus Emirate were spread, however, this claim has yet to be confirmed.

Organizational structure

Overview

Divisions of the Caucasus Emirate
Divisions of the Caucasus Emirate (before 2009)

The Caucasus Emirate was claimed to be composed of the following Vilayats (provinces):

In August 2008 Movladi Udugov, an ideologue and a spokesman for the Caucasus Emirate, said that "as Dokka Umarov very accurately observed, this Islamic state does not yet have any borders. It’s not correct to say that we want to build some sort of enclave on the territory of these North Caucasus republics. No, today many Muslims living in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Buryatia, Russians from the most widely differing regions of Russia who have accepted Islam, swear an oath of allegiance to Dokka Umarov as the legitimate leader of the Muslims. And wherever he is – in Moscow, Blagoveshchensk, Tyumen – when a Muslim swears that oath, he becomes a fighting unit. Just because these people are not visible in their cities just now and are not active, that doesn’t mean that they won’t become active in the future."

In a May 2011 interview posted on the pro Caucasus Emirate Kavkaz Center website, Umarov stated "Now we know that we should not secede, but must unite with our brothers in faith. We must recapture Astrakhan, Idel-Ural, Siberia and indigenous Muslim lands."

Leadership

Professor Gordon M. Hahn of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, described the Caucasus Emirate to be a decentralized organisation, but structured hierarchically with Emir Dokku Umarov appointing the Emirs of each Vilayat or Province, who in turn swore him a bay'at or oath of allegiance. Each vilayat contained multiple Fronts or Sectors, which in turn contained multiple Jamaats or units. The vilayats, sectors and local jamaats independently raised funds, recruited members and carried out operations, while following the overall strategy as set by the Emirate's leadership.

In May 2009, Umarov established a ruling consultative body, or Majlis al Shura, for the Caucasus Emirate consisting of his top commanders. At the time of the announcement, the positions and the individuals holding them were:

  • Supyan Abdullayev – Naib (Deputy) Emir – deceased 28 March 2011
  • Akhmed Yevloyev – Military Emir and Emir of Vilayat Galgayche – arrested 9 June 2010
  • Anzor AstemirovQadi and Emir of the United Vilayat of Kabarda-Balkaria-Karachay – deceased 24 March 2010
  • Umalat Magomedov – Emir of Vilayat Dagestan – deceased 31 December 2009
  • Aslambek Vadalov – Emir of the Eastern Sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho – arrested 5 November 2016
  • Tarkhan Gaziyev – Emir of the South-Western sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho – arrested 5 November 2016
  • Muhannad – Emir of the Ansar – deceased 21 April 2011

The Caucasus Emirate maintained a Supreme Sharia Court, which was headed by a Qadi. This position had been held by Anzor Astemirov (killed in March 2010), Magomed Vagabov (killed August 2010), and Aliaskhab Kebekov (killed in April 2015).

In early 2009, Dokka Umarov announced the revival of the shahid suicide attackers unit Riyad-us Saliheen Brigade of Martyrs, which has been led by Said Buryatsky (killed March 2010) and Aslan Byutukayev.

Umarov died due to food poisoning on 7 September 2013. He was succeeded by Aliaskhab Kebekov (killed April 2015) and Magomed Suleymanov (killed August 2015).

Funding

Caucasus Emirate received significant funds from overseas Islamic terrorist organizations, but the primary source of funding for the Caucasus Emirate was a wide range of criminal activity. Militants extorted money from local businessmen and residents in their areas of operation under the premise of a religious tax. Russian media reports in early 2011 claimed that militants extorted a 20 per cent "jihad" tax from prominent figures considered to be pro-government. In addition to extortion, Russian officials have alleged that Caucasus Emirate militants also derived funds from involvement in drug trafficking and robbery.

External relations

Western countries

In the same October 2007 statement in which Umarov proclaimed the Caucasian Emirate, he also described the United States, Great Britain and Israel as common enemies of Muslims worldwide. However, on November 20, 2007, Anzor Astemirov, then head of the Vilayat KBK, said that "Even if we wanted to threaten America and Europe every day, it is clear for anybody who understands politics that we do not have any real clashes of interests . The people in the White House know very well that we have nothing to do with America at the moment." In his statement, Astemirov not only described the Caucasian rebels' threats against the West as empty, but also even asked the United States for assistance in their fight against "Russian aggression". Following its criticism, many rebel websites removed the phrase that regarded Western countries as enemies.

Reaction to the 2008 Russo-Georgian War

Main article: Russo-Georgian War

On August 9, 2008, in response to the conflict between Georgia and Russia, Movladi Udugov stated that "for the time being neither Tbilisi nor Washington has appealed to us with any requests or offers" to fight alongside Georgian forces against the Russian forces. Udugov also noted: "But I clearly can say that the command of the Caucasus Emirate is following with great interest the development of the situation."

Syrian Civil War

A number of Chechen and other North Caucasian volunteers travelled to fight in the Syrian Civil War against the government of Bashar al-Assad. Dokku Umarov released a video in November 2012 expressing support for all those trying to install Sharia law in Syria, but rebuked those who had weakened the Jihad in the North Caucasus by leaving to fight there. However, as the war went on and North Caucasians took an increasingly prominent role in the fighting owing to their combat experience, those who went to fight in Syria were viewed increasingly positively by the Emirate's websites and supporters.

In 2013, a Chechen known as Salahuddin Shishani was appointed as the official representative of the Caucasus Emirate in Syria. In December 2013, the Chechen-led Syrian jihadist group Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (JMA) split away from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and appointed Salahuddin as their new commander, emphasising that they wished to continue respecting the Oath of Allegiance they had made to the Caucasus Emirate's Dokku Umarov. Following his appointment as the Emirates new leader, Aliaskhab Kebekov advised the North Caucasians in Syria to remain independent rather than align with other groups. He also voiced support for Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front and criticised Abu Omar al-Shishani, the Chechen commander who formerly led JMA before joining IS. In mid 2015, JMA suffered a leadership split, and Salahuddin and those fighters loyal to him formed a smaller offshoot that reiterated their loyalty to the Caucasus Emirate.

Designation as a terrorist organization

Country Date References
Russia 8 February 2010
United States 26 May 2011
United Nations 29 July 2011
United Kingdom December 2013
Canada 24 December 2013
United Arab Emirates 15 November 2014
Bahrain
Austria 7 July 2021

Claimed and alleged attacks

  • The Caucasus Emirate claimed responsibility for the 2009 Nevsky Express bombing in an online statement describing it as an "act of sabotage", and part of a series of operations targeting strategic sites in Russia.
  • The 2010 Moscow Metro bombings which left 40 people dead, and over 100 injured were ordered by Doku Umarov.
  • In December 2010, Austrian police arrested a Chechen refugee on suspicion of planning an attack on NATO targets. "Belgian authorities suspect a group of Chechen extremists, who were seeking to set up a religious state in northern Chechnya, planned to attack NATO facilities in Belgium," Interior Ministry spokesman Rudolf Gollia said.
  • The Caucasus Emirate claimed responsibility for the Domodedovo International Airport bombing, which killed at least 36 people.
  • The group was the prime suspect in the 2012 Makhachkala attack that occurred on 3 May 2012 and killed at least 13 people.
  • After it was revealed that the perpetrators in the Boston Marathon bombing were ethnic Chechens, Vilayat Dagestan denied any link to the bombing or the Tsarnaev brothers and stated that it was at war with Russia, not the United States. It also said that it had sworn off violence against civilians since 2012. The statement said, "The Command of the Province of Dagestan indicates in this regard that the Caucasian Mujahideen are not fighting against the United States of America. We are at war with Russia, which is not only responsible for the occupation of the Caucasus, but also for heinous crimes against Muslims. Also, remember that even in respect to the enemy state of Russia, which is fighting the Caucasus Emirate, there is an order by the Emir Dokku Umarov, which prohibits strikes on civilian targets. In July 2013, Doku Umarov released a video message rescinding his prior directions not to attack civilians, declaring that the Russians had construed the declaration as a sign of weakness and had stepped up attacks in the North Caucasus.
  • The October 2013 Volgograd bus bombing was blamed on the group.
  • The Emirate's Vilayat Dagestan claimed responsibility for the December 2013 Volgograd bombings. The suicide bombings killed 34 people.
  • The Caucasus Emirate took credit for a 5 October 2014 suicide bombing near the Grozny city hall. Five Russian police officers and the suicide bomber were killed, 12 other people were wounded.
  • Clashes on 4 December 2014 between police and members of the Caucasus Emirate in Grozny left dozens dead.

List of Emirs of the Caucasus Emirate

No. Image Name
(Birth – Death)
Term of Office
1 Dokka Umarov
(1964–2013)
7 October 2007 – 1 August 2010
Aslambek Vadalov
(1972–)
1 August 2010 – 3 August 2010
1 Dokka Umarov
(1964–2013)
3 August 2010 – 7 September 2013 (deceased)
2 Aliaskhab Kebekov
(1972–2015)
18 March 2014 – 19 April 2015 (deceased)
3 Magomed Suleimanov
(1976–2015)
2 July 2015 – 11 August 2015 (deceased)
4 Zalim Shebzukhov
(1986–2016)
11 August 2015 – 17 August 2016 (deceased)

*Note: There was confusion as to who was Emir, as Umarov issued a second video a few days later saying he had not stepped down.

See also

Notes

References

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Further reading

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