News: Russia 'ends Chechnya operation'

taku · Kickflip Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 2868 City: Central FL

It's official...

Russia has just ended its decade-long "counter-terrorism operation" against separatist rebels in the southern republic of Chechnya, officials say.

Moscow says Chechnya has stabilised under its pro-Kremlin President, Ramzan Kadyrov, but human rights groups accuse his militias of widespread abuses.

"We received the news about cancelling the counter-terrorism operation with great satisfaction," Mr Kadyrov told Russia's Interfax news agency on Thursday.

"The leadership of Russia has officially confirmed the fact that the nest of terrorism has been crushed, that illegal armed groups have been neutralised, and militant leaders on whose conscience lay the grief and suffering of thousands of people have been destroyed, detained and brought to court."

"Now the Chechen Republic... is a peaceful, developing territory, and cancelling the counter-terrorism operation will only promote economic growth in the republic," he added.

Background
Chechnya declared independence from Russia in 1991.

Three years later the Kremlin sent in troops to restore its authority, sparking the first Chechen war, which ended in humiliating defeat for Russian forces in 1996.

In 1999, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent Russian troops back in, launching the "counter-terrorism operation" that has now been ended after 10 years of fighting.

The Kremlin pounded the rebels and gradually managed to persuade several powerful clan leaders into defect.

They included Akhmad Kadyrov, a senior Chechen religious leader, who later was elected president and declared his loyalty to Moscow. He was killed in a bomb blast in October 2003, but was eventually followed by his son, Ramzan.

Ramzan Kadyrov rose to power after the death of his father, Akhmad

Ramzan Kadyrov speaks in front of a picture of his father, Akhmad Kadyrov (23 March 2009)

Timeline

1991 USSR collapses, Chechen separatists declare independence
1994 Russia sends forces to crush independence movement
1996 Ceasefire called
1999 After explosions in Russia, Moscow sends troops back
2003 New constitution gives Chechnya more autonomy; Akhmad Kadyrov elected president
2004 Kadyrov killed by bomb
2005 Separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov killed by troops
2006 March - Ramzan Kadyrov, son of Akhmad, becomes PM
2006 July - Warlord Shamil Basayev, Russia's most wanted man, killed in Ingushetia
2007 Ramzan Kadyrov elected president by Chechen parliament
2009 Russia announces ended to "counter-terrorism operation"

kyle · Posted: Apr 16, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject:

ummmmmm...ok
who cares?

taku · Kickflip Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 2868 City: Central FL

Obviously not you, but people who care about issues outside their own little self made bubble might. kthnx

nick · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 12:07 am Post subject:

kyle, Could you be anymore of a stereotypical American right now Smash

bachlonso · Backside 180 Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 670 City: NFA

nick, second that!!!
the war in chechnya has always been a big issue over here in germany/europe. russia is retrieving troops but i there's still a lot of injustice going on sparked by pro-russian militia. you just don't hear as much about it in the media.

JonnyBravo · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 1:31 am Post subject:

Good to hear they are ending it. Just hope the peace lasts :S