Chechnya: A war that can't be
History of the "independent Chechnya" continues on as a bloodsheding conflict that just can't seem to end. In the summer of 1991, the world learned that some loosely defined part of the Checheno-Ingushetia had seceded from RSFSR and the USSR and proclaimed itself an independent state called the Chechen Republic. During the next ten following years the situation in the republic remained complicated and tense. A 1994-96 war between Russia and Chechnya proved to be devastating to the republics social, economical and political structure. Though enjoying it's de facto independence the republic was overrun by warlords and their gangs that divided the land in between themselves and fought with each other for power. A kidnapping trade proved to be rewarding as many members of humanitarian organizations and other foreigners were abducted for ransom. The government of Aslan Maskhadov, the newly elected president, was either involved in the criminal activities itself or was unable to do anything about it. In August 1999, Chechen fighters led by prominent field commanders Shamil Basayev and Jordanian born Khattab crossed into neighboring Dagestan in order to create an a
It should be remembered that the Chechen war is financed from different including foreign, sources, which supply the rebels not only with money, but also with weapons and mercenaries. In the 19th century, Russian campaign against contemporary North Caucasus rebel Imam Shamil some 500,000 troops were needed to put down a twenty-year revolt. Currently Russia has about 90,000 troops in the region, according to Kremlin's spokesman, Sergei Yastrezembski. Also brand new sophisticated assault helicopters KA-50 "Black Shark", and KA-52 "Alligator" are to see action against the fighters, but as NATO learned in Kosovo, even the most sophisticated technologies are relatively impotent against a skilled enemy. Moscow plans to permanently station 15,000 troops in the republic after the war ends. The money is used for recruiting new members, for infiltrating power structures, and for a detailed study and analysis of the military-geographic, socio-political and economical situations in the CIS countries with the purpose of planning subsequent expansion, including military. There were two training camps in Chechnya: in Serzhen Yurt and Urus Martan. The guerrillas later managed to take back parts of their capital Grozny, and Moscow, realizing the high political and economic costs of holding on to Chechnya, simply withdrew. If the Russian military wants to engage the rebels on foot, it will have to commit a substantial number of personnel and be prepared to tolerate high casualties. The campaign was labeled as "counter terrorist" operation and had the support of the majority of the Russian public. The technological advance the Russians enjoy over the rebels today removes the need for so many troops, but some of the advantages will be lost in the mountains. With the casualties rising every day, it's a matter of time before the public opinion and the mothers of dead servicemen will force the current leadership of the Kremlin to come to a some kind of political agreement with the rebellious republics leadership. The rebels have a wealth of experience in such operations, because foreign specialists and instructors have trained them. But ironically, they say that there is no one in Chechnya that hasn't covered themselves in blood whom they can hold talks with and with that decision Moscow is in for a long period of low intensity fighting. For example, if not for the assistance of local well-respected elders, the federal forces would have not entered Achkhoi-Martan, northern territories and Chechnyan's second biggest city Gudermes, without a "single shot".
Common topics in this essay:
KA-52 Alligator,
Martan Fifteen,
Vladimir Putin,
Grozny Moscow,
Beloi Alleroi,
Poland Britain,
Pursuing Chechen,
Imam Shamil,
Russia Chechnya,
Russian Federation,
assistance local,
illegal armed formations,
political agreement,
illegal armed,
1994-96 war,
neighboring dagestan,
low intensity,
federal forces,
armed formations,
field commanders,
chechen fighters,
|