March 26th 2009 · Prague Watchdog· ALSO AVAILABLE IN:

"In April we are going to conduct major operations" (interview with a member of the Chechen mujahedin)

At a meeting with Russian parliamentary deputies in Grozny on March 25, the Moscow-backed Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov announced that the counter-terrorist operation, which has been going on in Chechnya since 1999, is nearing completion. According to him, on March 31 the National Anti-Terrorist Committee is due to pass a resolution declaring that it is over. This will be followed by an immediate lifting of all the emergency restrictions currently in force.

We interviewed by telephone a rank-and-file member of the mujahedin from the dzhamaat of the well-known Chechen field commander Khuseyn Gakayev. He is 28 years old, his call sign is Kuteyb, his real name is Aslan, and he is a native of Chechnya’s Vedensky district. At the start of the conversation Aslan apologized for being unable to express his thoughts ...

Russia Considers Major Troop Withdrawal in Chechnya

By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
26 March 2009

Russia is reported considering the withdrawal of more than 20,000 Interior Ministry troops from Chechnya and an effective end to a state of war in the Caucasus republic. The move may be linked to financial problems caused by the global economic crisis.

Russian news media are quoting anonymous Interior Ministry sources as saying Moscow could end what it refers to as an "anti-terrorist" operation in Chechnya by the end of March. A statement broadcast on Russian state television by Chechnya's Kremlin-backed president, Ramzan Kadyrov, has added to the speculation.

Kadyrov says there is information that all restrictions imposed on Chechnya will be lifted by the end of this month. He says the struggle against rebels is effectively over, and only remains on paper. He says when restrictions end, the airport and customs service in Grozny will function properly, and Chechnya will operate ...

Kadyrov declares the imminent return of Zakayev and the end of the war in Chechnya

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

Kremlin denies end-date of Chechnya counter-terrorism operation

RIA Novosti

25/03/2009 20:38 MOSCOW, March 25 (RIA Novosti) - A Kremlin source rejected on Wednesday a report from the Chechen leadership that the counter-terrorism campaign in the republic would finish at the end of this month.

"This issue is being considered, but it's too early to talk of a deadline," the source told RIA Novosti.

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov told journalists earlier on Wednesday that the federal counter-terrorism operation in the Russian North Caucasus republic, which has lasted for nine years, would be officially completed in late March.

"In essence, we long ago finished the struggle against terrorists, but there is an official document on conducting a counterterrorist operation in the republic. I think by the end of March, on 30 or 31, an official document will be signed to end it," Kadyrov said.

Asked whether troops from the national anti-terrorist group could be involved in fighting terrorism ...