In Kabardino-Balkaria, "Black Hawks" threaten with revenge on militants

The leader of the organization named "Chornye Yastreby" (Black Hawks), which positions itself as an anti-Wahhabite one, has stated that militants in Kabardino-Balkaria are just hiding behind religious slogans and kill civilians. Moreover, he said that the members of his organization will act against militants by using the latter's methods.

Earlier, the "Black Hawks" had stated in their video message posted on the Internet their readiness to respond with terror to the terror and threatened with death to militants and militants' families. Some people in Kabardino-Balkaria believe that the "Hawks" are nationalist-minded young people. This is partly confirmed in the video, where they claim that they do not need the "Arabic culture".

A new statement on behalf of the organization was made in an interview to the "Ren-TV" Channel on March 1. The programme did not present the speaker by name; the person who identified himself as the leader of the "Black Hawks" was wearing a mask and his voice was changed.

According to his story, the "Black Hawks" are ordinary residents of the country who are sick and tired of the militants, who "start blowing up in the centre of the city, wage a war of terror, where women and children suffer." He noted that citizens of the republic want to receive "their friends from other regions without fear that someone, somewhere, would shot or rob them."

"Let them (militants) collect 'bribes' from businessmen and vodka tycoons; but they shouldn't kill our children. If they continue, we'll kill their children so that they could feel how it hurts," said the leader.

He stressed that in 9 cases out of 10 families know what their children do to make their living. "When a person is not working, not studying and does nothing but namaz, and has pockets are full of money, he buys cars one better than the other, why wouldn't his parents ask where he got that money?" he asked.

He believes that most of the militants are just hiding behind religious slogans, while waging a terror war. "The Koran has only one concept of holy war - a jihad. This is liberation of one's native land; but who has enslaved them here? Who hinders them to live peacefully and quietly?" said the person who called himself the leader of the "Black Hawks". In conclusion he stated that "he is not a supporter of the idea to put another cheek after you get a blow on the first one," and prefers striking a blow in response to a received one.

Shortly after that a video appeared on the Internet, where a young man in a black mask announced establishment in Kabardino-Balkaria of an anti-Wahhabite grouping named "Black Hawk"; it became known soon after announcement by the head of the republic Arsen Kanokov on creation of the people's militia. Let us remind you that on February 1 Kanokov offered to attract armed units from among the local population to ensure safety in the republic. According to his opinion, it is necessary "to toughly set up order in the republic, which was once the most peaceful in Northern Caucasus." Many people in the republic had treated the appearance of the "Hawks" as an umbrella created by special agencies for extrajudicial killings, the magazine "Foreign Policy" writes.

In response to the threats of the "Black Hawk", Asker Dzhappuev (Abdullah), leader of the Kabardino-Balkar militants, released his video message addressed to his supporters, where he announced the total mobilization of the militants and their helpers caused by the need to protect their relatives and families. This video is posted on one of the websites, supporting Kabardino-Balkar militants.