ISIS-Linked Group's Leader Killed in Russia

Magomed Suleimanov, also known as Abu Usman Gimrinsky and leader of the Islamic Caucasus Emirate (ICE), a militant jihadist organization operating in Russia, has been killed in a special operation initiated by security forces on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAK).

The death of the extremist group's leader came just months after he rose to power. Though his appointment was publicly announced on July 1, it is assumed that he rose to power after the death of ICE's previous leader, Aliaskhab Kebekov, more commonly known as Ali Abu Muhammad al Dagestani, who was killed by Russian forces in April, according to The Business Insider.

Kebekov's predecessor, Doku Umarov, was killed in either late 2013 or early 2014.

Apart from Abu Usman, the Russian forces were also able to kill his right-hand man, Kamil Saidov, widely considered one of the most prominent heads of the criminal underworld operating on Dagestan's territory. Saidov has been linked to various terrorist attacks and has also been on the federal wanted list, reports RT News.

Two other members of the group were also neutralized by the Russian security forces, who cornered the terrorists in a wooded mountain area in the Caucasus republic of Dagestan. Members of the Federal Security Service, the Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry troops, were involved in the operation.

Following the death of Abu Usman, ICE has lost three of its leaders in 18 months, dealing the terror group a series of blows that will undoubtedly test its chain of succession, especially since international efforts are now underway to fully crack down on the Islamic State, as covered in this HNGN article.

Tags

Ice, Russia