Split in "Imarat Kavkaz" evidences drop of Umarov's influence, experts believe

A number of local experts believe that the statement of some field commanders about exit away from subordination to Dokku Umarov is a symptom of serious contradictions within the armed underground and an abrupt drop of the authority of the Amir of the Caucasus, as Umarov calls himself.

"Most likely, the 'revolt' of some of field commanders headed by Vadalov was caused by Dokku Umarov's contradictory actions, provoked by the pressure caused on him by militants of Dagestan, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. Probably, they were not ready to accept Vadalov or Umarov's 'right-hand man' Arab Mokhannad, who is ensuring, most likely, arrival of funds for the armed underground," one of the experts, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In the opinion of another observer, who also preferred to be unnamed, "the exit of influential field commanders out of Umarov's control is fraught with a chance to be 'a general without army', since the above commanders are rather influential."

"One should keep in mind that through all these years Chechnya was the basic segment of "Imarat Kavkaz". If Chechnya breaks away from the "Imarat", it means destruction of the whole system created by militants in 2007," said the source.