Russia and Chechnya have a complicated relationship. The recent Moscow subway bombings have strained this relationship even further, since Chechen terrorists have claimed responsibility for the incident.
History of Conflict in Chechnya and Russian Terrorism
On March 29,2010, Chechen terrorists entered the Moscow underground and stepped aboard two trains which stopped at the center of the Russian capital. The terrorists were young women, referred to as "black widows," who were strapped with explosives. The bombs went off, killing 39 innocent victims, injuring many more and taking the lives of the suicide bombers.
This came as a shock to Russia because prime minister Vladimir Putin had announced a long time ago that Chechen terrorists were wiped out. However, the bombings on March 29 told a different story. Chechen rebels were very much present and well-organized.
It was Putin who began the second Chechen war during his first term as prime minister in 1999, under then-president Boris Yeltsin. In September 1999, a series of Moscow apartment buildings exploded - the deadliest bombing killing 118 people and injuring 200 others and completely leveling an eight-story building. It was believed Chechen separatists were responsible for these crimes.
These separatists believe in a complete division from Russia, in other words, to create a breakaway republic. This new country would be ruled under Islamic law.
Terrorist Bombing and Chechen Rebels
Putin delivered his famous quotation, paraphrasing from Russian to English that, "we will find the terrorists even in the outhouse and wipe them out."
Putin continued with his hard line against Chechnya by making good on his word as Russian troops invaded Dagestan in late August 1999. This was a direct response to the invasion of Dagestan by an international Islamic mujahideen, which was composed of Islamic Chechens, Dagestanis, Turks, Arabs and other ethnic groups.
Then on October 1, 1999, Russian troops entered Chechnya. This was the start of the Second Chechen War or the War in the North Caucasus.
To understand the conflict, one has to realize Chechen separatists or Chechen terrorists (who are Islamic) fought against Russian troops and pro-Russian, Chechen paramilitary. Also, the misconception is Russia continues to invade Chechnya due to oil; however this is not true. Chechnya is nearly dry in regard to oil. It is a fight over territory and terrorism.
Chechnya War
Russia and the Chechen separatists continued to fight. Around late 1999 into early 2000, both Russian troops and pro-Russian paramilitary fought against the separatists and seized Chechnya's capital city of Grozny.
The war continued for nine more years, until in 2009, Russia believed it had wiped out the majority of the terrorists. In mid-April 2009, Russia pulled out of Chechnya and the war officially ended.
The two countries seemed on their way to resolving the conflict and living in peace despite terrorism and violent incidents on a smaller scale. However, the Moscow subway bombings in March 2010 has shown that Chechen terrorism is alive and well. Russia may have no choice but to invade Chechnya and the North Caucasus once again.
This article, Causes of the First Chechen War, discusses the history behind the 1994 war.
This article, Eighteenth Century Chechnya History, discusses the beginnings of this Muslim holy war.
Check out the Eastern Europe blog for more articles and commentary on Chechnya.
Sources:
"Moscow Metro hit by deadly suicide bombings." BBC News, March 29,2010. (viewed April 4, 2010)
"Q&A: The Chechen Conflict." BBC News, July 10, 2006. (viewed April 4, 2010)
Jennifer Ciotta - Jennifer Ciotta is the author of I, Putin (Vladimir Putin novel): http://vladimirputinnovel.com.
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