19:49, 19 March 2014

Appointment of Aliaskhab Kebekov to be leader of "Imarat Kavkaz" was expected, Dagestani journalists assert

The appointment of the new leader of "Imarat Kavkaz" – Aliaskhab Kebekov (Ali Abu-Mukhammad) was expected, said Mairbek Agaev, deputy editor-in-chief of the Dagestani weekly "Chernovik".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 18 North-Caucasian militants finally confirmed the death of Doku Umarov, the leader of "Imarat Kavkaz". Ali Abu-Mukhammad (Aliaskhab Kebekov) was elected to the post of the new Amir.

"In my opinion, Kebekov is one of the most influential militants in North Caucasus," Mairbek Agaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He added that for a long time Kebekov "was hunted on by power agents but he managed to escape."

Meanwhile, in the opinion of Chechen power agents, the confirmation of Doku Umarov's death and change of the leadership of "Imarat Kavkaz" can lead to a split among militants and a change of their tactics. Law enforcers have not ruled out that "militants in North Caucasus can intensify their actions", and try, in the near future, to hold some serious action in the region or beyond.

Author: Karina Gadzhieva, Muslim Ibragimov

Source: CK correspondents