Police officers and priest among 9 killed at places of worship in southern Russia – Washington Examiner
In Dagestan, Russia, at least nine people were killed in terrorist attacks targeting places of worship, including churches and synagogues, as well as a police checkpoint. The violence, which also left at least 25 people injured, occurred in two cities and involved gunmen using automatic weapons. The attacks resulted in the deaths of several police officers and a priest, with additional casualties including a church security guard and four militants. The attackers also set fire to the religious buildings affected. Authorities are investigating the incidents.
At least nine people were killed around places of worship in Russia’s Dagestan province, including several police officers and a priest, authorities said on Sunday.
Gunmen opened fire on churches and synagogues in two cities miles apart, the region’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said, and a shooting was also reported at a police checkpoint. At least 25 people were injured in the attacks.
In Derbent, a group of gunmen reportedly used automatic weapons on a synagogue and an Orthodox church, also setting fire to both buildings. A priest and church security guard were killed there, as well as four “militants,” according to Russian news agency TASS.
Unknown assailants have attacked an Orthodox church and a synagogue in Derbent (Dagestan). It’s the only synagogue in the city. Both were apparently set on fire.
There was also a shooting in Makhachkala targeting policemen at the same time — unclear if they are related. pic.twitter.com/m569l9mDt5
— Aric Toler (@AricToler) June 23, 2024
About 75 miles north along the Caspian Sea, in Makhachkala, 19 people locked themselves in a church during a shootout that ended with at least one attacker being killed, per the ministry. Attacks were also reported at a synagogue in that city.
“Tonight in Derbent and Makhachkala, unknown people made attempts to destabilise the public situation,” Sergei Melikov, the head of the Republic of Dagestan, said. “Dagestan police officers stood in their way. According to preliminary information, there are casualties among them. All services are acting in accordance with the instruction … The identities of the attackers are being established.”
Derbent is home to a historically significant Jewish community in the largely Muslim-dominated region. The Israeli foreign ministry called the shootings a “combined attack” on the synagogues.
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“As far as is known, there were no worshipers in the synagogues at the time of the attack, and there are no known casualties from the Jewish community,” it said in a statement.
The attackers were members of “an international terrorist organization,” according to TASS, citing local law enforcement agencies, and the investigation is being treated as such.
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