In a mark of how much the Russian Federation fears that extremists fighting in the Syrian conflict could move into the troubled North Caucasus — particularly following the participation in the conflict of fighters from Chechnya and Dagestan, the leader of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, announced Wednesday that the region is preparing a special unit, which if needed would “participate in the neutralization of Syrian militants, who posed a threat to Russia”.
Kadyrov told reporters in Grozny that “the threat posted by Syrian militants has never been hidden”, RIA Novosti reports.
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“Even blind people can see it. Ordinary people are expressing concern. Senior officials speak openly about it. We know the loss of human life and the destruction that would result from an inability to strike decisively at terrorists and Wahhabists. Therefore, the security organs and the management of the Republic are adopting a series of preventative measures,” Kadyrov said.
RIA quoted Kadyrov as saying that, if necessary, colleagues are prepared to intervene in the Syrian conflict.
“We do not want hundreds of coffins be transported from the North Caucasus to all Russia’s regions, so we are taking action. If the Supreme Commander commands it, colleagues are able to neutralize those in Syria who pose a threat to Russia, including in their dens.”
Kadyrov said that terrorists in Syria “must know that Russia is waiting for them if they come here”.
“These bandits are making videos, where they claim that after Syria they will come to the North Caucasus and carry out diversionary terrorist activities. We face these threats calmly, and we cannot wait until this plague moves toward Russia,” he added.
(Featured image: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov dancing)
