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Not to be confused with Caucasian Imamate or North Caucasian Emirate.
Caucasus Emirate
Кавказский Эмират

Flag of the Caucasus Emirate
LeadersDokka Umarov
Dates of operation31 October 2007 – present
Headquartersbases in North Caucasus
Active regionsRussia
IdeologyIslamism
Separatism
Sufi Nationalism
Allies Mujahideen
Al-Qaeda
Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar
Opponents Russian Federation
Battles and warsInsurgency in the North Caucasus

The Caucasus Emirate (Template:Lang-ce; Template:Lang-ru), also known as the Caucasian Emirate, is a self-proclaimed virtual state entity in Russia, partially a successor to the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and the Caucasian Front military organization, and was officially announced on October 31, 2007, by former President of Ichkeria Dokka Umarov, who became the first emir. Both the Russian Federation and the United States have designated the Caucasus Emirate as a terrorist organisation. The United States government has offered US$5 million for information leading to the capture of the group's leader, Dokka Umarov. On July 29, 2011, the United Nations Security Council Al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee added the Caucasus Emirate to the list of entities associated with Al-Qaeda.

Declaration

See also: History of Chechnya

On October 31, 2007, the separatist news agency Chechenpress reported that the President of Ichkeria Dokka Umarov had proclaimed an Emirate in the Caucasus and declared himself its Emir, thereby abolishing the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and its presidency. The declaration of the Caucasian 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."

Anzor Astemirov, a top rebel leader from the Russia's Kabardino-Balkar Republic (KBR), took credit for the idea of establishing the Emirate. He said he had unsuccessfully tried to persuade the Chechen rebel commander Shamil Basayev to do this in Nalchik in 2005, but Basayev strongly declined and instead he demanded the KBR rebel leaders pledge an Oath of Allegiance to the Chechen President Abdul-Halim Sadulayev in return of the Chechen assistance in the Nalchik uprising attempt; supposedly, Basayev's death in 2006 paved the way for the declaration of the Emirate.

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, head of the Yarmuk Jamaat, 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.

Structure

Proposed divisions of the Caucasus Emirate
Flag of Vilayat Nokhchicho

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

However, according to Umarov, the bases of the rebel fighters loyal to him "spread from Azerbaijan to Abkhazia."

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 May 2009, Umarov established a consultative body, or Majlis al Shura, 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 (Supyan Abdullayev), Military Emir (Akhmed Yevloyev), Qadi (Anzor Astemirov), Emir of Vilayat Galgaycho (Akhmed Yevloyev), Emir of the United Vilayat of Kabarda, Balkaria and Karachay (Anzor Astemirov), Emir of Vilayat Dagestan (Umalat Magomedov), Emir of the Eastern Sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho (Aslambek Vadalov), Emir of the South-Western sector of Vilayat Nokhchicho (Tarkhan Gaziyev), and Emir of the Ansar (Muhannad).

The Caucasus Emirate maintains a Supreme Sharia Court, which is headed by a Qadi. This position has been held by Anzor Astemirov (killed in March 2010), Magomed Vagabov (killed August 2010), and Ali Abu Muhammad al-Dagestani.

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

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 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.

Leadership Dispute

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 became his successor. However, on 3 August 2010, the original announcement had been replaced by one which stated, that Umarov only "proposed to appoint" Vadalov his successor. A few days later 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. According to STRATFOR 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. 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.

External Relations

Reaction to the 2008 South Ossetia war

Main article: 2008 South Ossetia 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."

NATO Bomb Plot

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.

Boston Bombing and Sochi Olympics

After it was revealed that the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings were ethnic Chechens, the Command of 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.

In a July 2013 video release, Umarov called for attacks on the Sochi Winter Olympics, stating that the Games were being staged "on the bones of many, many Muslims killed".

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 the combat experience, those who went to fight in Syrian were viewed increasingly positively by the Emirates websites and supporters.

In 2013, a Chechen known as Emir Salauddin 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 split away from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and appointed Salauddin 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.

List of Emirs of the Caucasus Emirate

Emirs of Caucasus Emirate
Order Name Tenure
1 Dokku Umarov 31 October 2007 – 1 August 2010
2 Aslambek Vadalov 1 August 2010 – 3 August 2010
3 Dokku Umarov 3 August 2010 – Present

*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


Further reading

References

  1. http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/chechnya.htm
  2. Karachaevo-Cherkessia Faces Renewed Militant Activity, Mairbek Vatchagaev, The Jamestown Foundation, September 26, 2008 09:56 AM
  3. The Caucasus Emirate on the road from Yemen to Algeria (Part 1), Sergei Davydov, "Prague Watchdog", June 6th 2009
  4. «„Имарат“ выселили из России» — Vzglyad (08.02.2010)
  5. "Designation of Caucasus Emirate". US Department of State. 26 May 2011.
  6. "U.S. Offers $5M for Umarov". The Moscow Times. 27 May 2011.
  7. "QE.E.131.11. EMARAT KAVKAZ". Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaeda and associated individuals and entities. 29 July 2011.
  8. Official Release of the Statement by Amir Dokka Umarov about the Declaration of the Caucasus Emirate
  9. Chechenpress; Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
  10. In Video, Chechen Separatist Leader Declares ‘Jihad’ On West
  11. ^ Astemirov takes credit for idea of Caucasian Emirate
  12. Dokka Umarov Declares The Islamic Emirate Of The Caucasus, Expands Jihad
  13. Is the Caucasian Emirate a Threat to the Western World?
  14. Rebel Hierarchy Changes in the Wake of Umarov's Emirate Decree
  15. Amir of the Caucasus Emirate abolishes the Cabinet of Ministers, the Parliament of the former C.R.I.
  16. Omra No 14 "On the Wilayah of Iriston (Ossetia)"
  17. We have taken up arms to establish laws (interview with Movladi Udugov)
  18. Omra (Decree) No 13 "About the formation of the consultative body Majlis al-Shura of the Caucasus Emirate"
  19. Omra №24 : Appointement of Ali Abu-Muhammad al-Dagestani (ha) as the new Supreme Qadi of the CE
  20. Surge In North Caucasus Violence Reflects Diversification Of Resistance Tactics, Radio Liberty, August 18, 2009
  21. Getting the Caucasus Emirate Right, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, 1 September, 2011
  22. "Chechen rebel leader 'steps down'". Aljazeera.net. August 2, 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  23. "CE's Emir Dokku Abu Usman resigned and appointed Aslambek Vadalov Emir of the Caucasus Emirate". Kavkaz Center. August 1, 2010. Archived from the original on August 1, 2010.
  24. Aslambek Vadalov – Emir of the Caucasus Emirate. YouTube: Kavkaz Center. August 1, 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
  25. ^ Bill Roggio (August 4, 2010). "Caucasus Emirate leader Doku Umarov retracts resignation". The Long War Journal.
  26. "CE Emir Dokku Abu Usman announced a successor and proposed to appoint Aslambek Vadalov as Emir of the Caucasus Emirate". Kavkaz Center. August 2, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  27. ^ "Chechen rebel chief denies quitting". Aljazeera.net. August 4, 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  28. "Emir of the Caucasus Emirate Dokku Abu Usman cancels his resignation, calling it fabricated, and makes special statement on this occasion (video)". Kavkaz Center. August 4, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  29. Mairbek Vatchagaev (August 6, 2010). ""Palace Coup" Reveals Split between Umarov and Rebel Commander Aslanbek Vadalov". Eurasia Daily Monitor. 7 (152).
  30. "Power Struggle Among Russia's Militants". Al Jazeera. August 19, 2010.
  31. "Split among Chechen Mujahideen overcome". Kavkaz Center. Helsinki: Mikael Storsjö. 25 July 2011.
  32. http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2011/07/caucasus_emirate_cla_1.php#ixzz1TKEnDQLI
  33. Udugov: For the time being neither Tbilisi nor Washington has appealed to us with any requests
  34. "Austria Arrests Chechen in Belgian NATO Plot". The Moscow Times. 2010-12-06.
  35. Weaver, Courtney; Clover, Charles (April 21, 2013), "Russian militant group denies Boston link", The Financial Times.
  36. Daghestani Insurgency Denies Any Role In Boston Bombings - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
  37. Statement of the Command of Mujahideen of Caucasus Emirate's Dagestan Province in relation to events in Boston
  38. ^ Caucasus Emirate Leader Calls On Insurgents To Thwart Sochi Winter Olympics - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
  39. ^ =7&cHash=e52244ad41ac68df14f5f09a58799d97#.Utxt0qwzE5t Caucasus Emirate Reverses Position on Syrian Jihad], Mairbek Vatchagaev, The Jamestown Foundation, 28 June 2013
  40. "Syria crisis: Omar Shishani, Chechen jihadist leader". BBC. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.

External links

Leaders of Chechnya (1991–present)
 Chechen Republic
(since 1993)
 Chechen Republic of Ichkeria
(1991–2007)
Acting officeholders shown in italics.
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