By NICHOLAS BRAMANTE
In recent years, terrorist attacks have gained extreme recognition around the world through the incredible speed of 21st century media. Countries from one end of the globe to the other are now faced with a very real, and very serious threat. From the tragic American day in 2001 to almost regular attacks in the Middle East, it seems like terrorism is something no country is safe from now. Terrorists do exactly what their name implies: attempt to spread terror throughout even the largest and most powerful establishments of the world. The latest target of these plots and actions? One of the most colossal political powers in the world: Russia.
On December 29th 2013, a suicide bombing on the city of Volgograd ensued, leaving 16 dead. The next day another suicide bombing followed, killing at least another 15 people. Both attacks were mysterious and unresolved until January of this year, when a militant Islamist group claimed responsibility for the Russian deaths via a video posted on the internet. The video was also filled with various threats and conditions for the people of Russia to follow, however the most disturbing information is that the group claims there will be another attack if people do not comply to their wishes. The next attack is to take place in the city of Sochi, where the 2014 Olympics are to take place.
On Dec. 29th 2013, a suicide bombing on the city of Volgograd ensued, leaving 16 dead. The next day another suicide bombing followed, killing at least another 15 people. Both attacks were mysterious and unresolved until January of this year, when a militant Islamist group claimed responsibility for the Russian deaths via a video posted on the Internet. The video was also filled with various threats and conditions for the people of Russia to follow; the most disturbing information is that the group claims there will be another attack if people do not comply to their wishes. The next attack is to take place in the city of Sochi, where the 2014 Olympics are to take place.
The Islamic “insurgency,” as it is being called by various news providers, has been a battle Russia has been waging for years now, and the intensity has seemed to only increase. Chillingly, one of the two insurgents shown in the video posted online claimed that the group “prepared a present for [Russia] and all tourists who come over.” The group’s name is apparently “Vilayat Daghestan,” meaning “Province of Daghestan”, and the U.S-based monitoring service Search for International Terrorist Entities (SITE) has identified the two men that are shown in the video as Suleiman and Abdul Rakhman. As a final threat, the two claimed that “if [Russia will] hold the Olympics, [they will] get a present from us for all the Muslim blood that’s been spilled…”
The group blames Russia’s government and Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, for the death of many Muslims in the past years. The group is urging the people of Russia to rise up against and overthrow Putin, and compare him and others in power to a “hydra.” The only real way to kill a hydra is by cutting its heads off, and the group literally instruct the people of Russia to do just that. Russia security forces hunted for five suspected terrorists that are linked to this insurgency.
Putin addressed the public on these situations, and proclaimed them to be some of the greatest challenges Russia has had to overcome in 2013. While passing through the city of Khabarovsk on Dec. 31st, Putin declared “[He is]confident that we will fiercely and consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their total destruction.” The whole world can be victim to a terrorist agenda, and it is at times like these where information is key. Whether it is in the U.S or Russia, terrorist attacks are a very serious and tragic creation that has been in human history for longer than most of us probably realize. When it comes to these sensitive yet volatile moments, the main goal of the international community is not only to heal from these attacks, but attempt to root them out before they ever start.
