Second Chechen War

Second Chechen War
source
Conflict	Second Chechen War
Part of	Chechen–Russian conflict
Caption	Chechen fighter during the war
Date	1999–2009
Place	Chechnya, North Caucasus
Result	Russian Federation victory, Chechen Republic of Ichkeria abolished

Second Chechen War. The conflict began in August 1999 when Ibn al-Khattab, a Saudi jihadist, and Shamil Basayev, a Chechen separatist leader, led a raid into Dagestan, prompting a Russian response under Vladimir Putin, then Prime Minister of Russia. This led to a full-scale war between Russia and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, with extremist groups like the Special Purpose Islamic Regiment and the Riyad-us Saliheen Brigade playing key roles. The war involved various human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which reported on war crimes committed by both sides, including the Russian Armed Forces and the Chechen separatist forces.

Background

The First Chechen War had ended with the Khasav-Yurt Accord, signed by Alexander Lebed and Aslan Maskhadov, granting Chechnya de facto independence from Russia. However, the region was plagued by lawlessness and economic crisis, with warlords like Shamil Basayev and Ibn al-Khattab exerting significant influence. The Russian Federation, under Boris Yeltsin and later Vladimir Putin, sought to reassert control over the region, citing concerns over terrorism and separatism. The United States, European Union, and United Nations closely monitored the situation, with OSCE playing a key role in attempting to broker a peaceful resolution. The conflict drew in various international figures, including Zbigniew Brzezinski, who commented on the geopolitical implications, and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who advocated for a strong nationalist response.

Course of the war

The war began with a Russian air campaign against Chechen positions, followed by a ground invasion led by the Russian Ground Forces and supported by naval and air power. The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria forces, led by Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev, employed guerrilla tactics, including ambushes and suicide bombings, targeting Russian troops and civilians. The conflict drew in various jihadist groups, including the Arab Mujahideen in Chechnya and the Islamic International Brigade, which fought alongside the Chechen separatist forces. Key events included the Battle of Grozny, the Battle of Komsomolskoye, and the Beslan school siege, which was carried out by Riyad-us Saliheen Brigade and resulted in significant human rights abuses. The war also involved special forces units, such as the Alpha Group and the Vympel Group, which conducted counter-terrorism operations.

Russian strategy and tactics

The Russian Federation employed a range of strategies and tactics, including siege warfare, aerial bombing, and counter-insurgency operations. The Russian Armed Forces used T-90 tanks and Mi-24 helicopters to support their operations, while the Chechen separatist forces relied on improvised explosive devices and sniper fire. The FSB and the FSO played key roles in intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism operations, often working with Chechen collaborators like Akhmad Kadyrov. The Russian government also established the Chechen Republic, a puppet state led by Akhmad Kadyrov and later Ramzan Kadyrov, which helped to undermine the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

Aftermath and consequences

The war resulted in significant human rights abuses, including forced disappearances, torture, and war crimes, with both sides committing atrocities. The conflict led to a significant refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of Chechens displaced, many fleeing to Ingushetia or Georgia. The war also had significant economic and environmental consequences, with Grozny and other cities suffering significant damage. The Russian government established the direct rule of Chechnya, with Ramzan Kadyrov serving as the Head of the Chechen Republic. The conflict drew comments from various international figures, including Angela Merkel, who expressed concerns over human rights abuses, and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who advocated for a strong nationalist response.

International reactions

The international community, including the United States, European Union, and United Nations, closely monitored the conflict, with many expressing concerns over human rights abuses and war crimes. The OSCE played a key role in attempting to broker a peaceful resolution, while the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights investigated human rights abuses. The conflict drew in various non-governmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which reported on war crimes committed by both sides. The UN Security Council passed several resolutions on the conflict, including Resolution 1269 and Resolution 1368. The conflict also drew comments from various international figures, including Kofi Annan, who expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation, and Sergey Lavrov, who defended the Russian Federation's actions. Category:Conflicts in 1999