Chechnya and Russia The southern Russian republic of The southern Russian republic of The southern Russian republic of The southern Russian republic of

History of the Conflict 1991 – Declared independence when Soviet Union collapsed Yeltsin sent a few hundred troops but were met by Chechen fighters and sent back home on buses First of many humiliations for Russia Moscow couldn’t agree on how to deal with the situation

History of the Conflict 1994 – Russian troops sent to Chechnya in poorly planned bid to put down rebellious region (First Chechen War) Over 2 years, Russian death toll mounted After outcry, troops pulled out under peace agreement Gave Chechnya some autonomy but not full independence

History of the Conflict Russia failed to invest in reconstruction after 2 years of war Chechen leaders couldn’t control warlords who got money from crime & kidnappings 1999 – Chechen fighters crossed border into neighboring Dagestan (unify Muslims) This began 2 nd Chechen War (ended in 2000)

History of the Conflict Islamic group in Dagestan looking to create an Islamic state from parts of Dagestan & Chechnya Called on all Muslims to take up arms against Russia in holy war By now Putin was president and rebellion was put down quickly

History of the Conflict Later in 1999, wave of bombings occurred in Russia and Putin was quick to blame Chechen rebels Putin sent army back to region to subdue it by force Russia claimed victory but conflict still ongoing

History of the Conflict Russia accused of brutal tactics & human rights violations Russian gov’t used Sept 11 th attacks to portray Chechen rebels as part of global terrorist network 2003 – new constitution gave Chechnya more autonomy

History of the Conflict But Chechnya still part of Russia as armed opposition’s participation was ruled out 2005 – Putin’s party won over half the seats in local assembly elections But rebels claimed elections were a charade

History of the Conflict Russia has increased investments in Chechnya (rich in oil) since But sporadic violence continues – planes hijacked, school in Beslan taken hostage, warlords & leaders of rebels assassinated by Russian gov’t WlpdflGzMhttp:// WlpdflGzM stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/ stm

History of the Conflict wsid_ /newsid_ / stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb =1&news=1&ms3=54&ms_javasc ript=true&bbcws=2http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/ne wsid_ /newsid_ / stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&asb =1&news=1&ms3=54&ms_javasc ript=true&bbcws=2