Deadly attacks on Dagestan synagogue and churches

Multiple incidents of violence in the North Caucasus republic of Dagestan in Russia have resulted in the deaths of numerous individuals, including police officers and worshippers at two churches and a synagogue.

Gunmen attacked the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala during the Orthodox celebration of Pentecost.

At least six police officers, a priest, and a security guard are among the deceased. Four attackers have been killed, and authorities are searching for additional suspects.

The attackers have not been named, but Dagestan has previously experienced terrorism from Islamic extremists.

The places of worship, like churches and synagogues, were burned in the attacks that happened on Sunday. An Orthodox Church priest lost his life in the incident in Makhachkala, the biggest city in Dagestan.

A video shared on social media captures individuals in dark attire firing at police vehicles, followed by a group of emergency vehicles arriving at the location.

In Derbent, where there is an old Jewish community, some people with guns attacked a synagogue and a church. After that, they set the buildings on fire.

A message posted on the Telegram app by an informal group called Mash reported that armed individuals were holed up in a structure in Derbent.

A police car was targeted in the village of Sergokal. Authorities arrested Magomed Omarov, who is the leader of the Sergokalinsky district near Makhachkala, after receiving information that two of his children were involved in the recent assaults.

Dagestan, a region in Russia with low economic status, is mostly populated by followers of the Muslim religion.

From 2007 to 2017, a group known as the Caucasus Emirate, and later rebranded as the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus, carried out terrorist attacks in the region of Dagestan and nearby Russian regions including Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Kabardino-Balkaria.

After the incident at the Crocus City Hall venue in March, which took place near Moscow, officials accused Ukraine and Western countries, despite the Islamic State group claiming responsibility.

Previously, President Vladimir Putin strongly stated that Russia would not face any terrorist attacks from Islamic fundamentalists. He believes that Russia is a shining example of peaceful coexistence among different faiths, religions, and ethnicities.

However, just three months ago, the FSB, which is Russia's internal security agency, stated that they had stopped a plan by IS to attack a synagogue in Moscow.

Ever since Russia's extensive attack on Ukraine, the Russian government has been emphasizing that Ukraine and the "collective West" are their main enemies. They are determined to keep this narrative unchanged to prevent the public from questioning the official story.