Russia's counterterrorism operation (KTO) has formally declared Chechnya a zone of peace, lifting a tight security regime that has been in force in the region for the past decade.
Acting on orders of President Dmitry Medvedev, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov on April 16, 2009 cancelled a 1999 decree that imposed a regime of “anti-terror operation” in Chechnya. The operation saw Russian forces defeat separatist rebels in what came to be known as the Second Chechen Campaign. In the first campaign in 1994-1996, the federal army suffered a defeat and withdrew from Chechnya.
End of Hostilities
Hostilities ended in Chechnya four years ago, but the anti-terrorist regime remained in force to facilitate the mopping up of remaining rebel groups. The decision may see up to 20,000 troops relocated after a conflict that has officially lasted a decade. Chechen leaders have welcomed the move but the region still faces various challenges, and the decision may have been the result of tightening finances and changing priorities.
There are no more than 70 militants remaining in the Chechen mountains, and we’ll finish them off within May 2009 The cancellation of the anti-terror regime will entail the withdrawal of 20,000 troops from Chechnya even as another 30,000 will remain. Restrictions such as curfews, roadblocks, and house searches will also be lifted.
Lifting of CTO Regime
The counter-terrorist operation (CTO) in Chechnya is due to be lifted, but the National Anti-Terrorist Committee has decided that more work needs to be done on this question. Chechny’s President Ramzan Kadyrov is anxious to have the CTO regime lifted as it is hampering the economy, especially the opening of the international airport and customs offices. The lifting of the CTO regime will mean the withdrawal of 20,000-30,000 troops. One possibility is Dagestan, where there are still "unreliable" villages and plenty of empty buildings which could house the military.
The decision to end the counterterrorist operation in Chechnya was made a long time ago. If Ramzan Kadyrov had not been in such a rush, it would have ended in March 2009. In late March 2009, about 30-35 rebels entered the village of Neftyanka, not far from Dyshne-Vedeno. They encountered no resistance whatsoever.
The rebels discovered the village policeman in his home, but they did not kill him in front of his relatives; they took him outside the village and slit his throat. Then the bandits hung a black flag over the administration building. They did not leave the village until nearly morning, and a few local residents left with them. For example, the nephew of the murdered policeman, a person in intelligence with the 42nd division, which is stationed in Chechnya.
Recently, the Kadyrov announced that the counterterrorist operation (KTO) in Chechnya would soon come to an end. It has been going on for nearly 10 years and it hinders the republic's development. After all, the war is long over, the rebels have been vanquished, and the situation is under control, but due to the special conditions in Chechnya there is no customs office or international flights.
Despite continuing forays by rebels, lifting the KTO in Chechnya is such an important topic that there can be some relaxation. The issue is not only customs, the airport, and the other restrictions. From a certain point of view this is even a foreign policy project. There is a lot more unrest there than in Chechnya, and this could affect that.
The Tragedy
Russia's first war in Chechnya, in the mid-1990s, was a disaster. Thousands of poorly-trained Russian conscripts were slaughtered as they attempted to retake the Muslim republic by force. After two years Moscow was forced to negotiate a ceasefire. In 1999 Russia's then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin launched a second massive offensive. In the ensuing battles Chechnya's capital Grozny was pounded to rubble. More than a third of the Chechen population fled. By 2002 the UN named Grozny "the most destroyed city on the planet". But at the same time the Kremlin's strategy changed.
The key was the defection to Moscow of several powerful Chechen clan leaders. The most important was Akhmad Kadyrov, the former chief mufti, or senior religious leader, of the Chechen republic. In 2003 Akhmad Kadyrov became President of Chechnya. His strategy was to divide the rebel movement. Those who could be persuaded - or bought - were offered amnesty, and a job in the Chechen security forces. Those who held out would be hunted down and killed. A year later Akhmad Kadyrov was killed in a bomb blast at Grozny football stadium.
Far-Reaching Impact
The decision today will also be received with great satisfaction by numerous businesspeople in the countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia who have recently expressed an interest in Chechnya and want to make considerable investments in its economy but showed some caution because of the current limitations related to the counterterrorism operation.
It is hoped that, when the issue was considered, both the interests of the republic and the country as a whole would be taken into account. We started from the principle that a thriving, peaceful Chechnya would be a factor in the stability of the south of the country as a whole. And it is pleasing that our expectations have been justified. Without waiting for the decision to be taken, a customs post has been built at a rapid pace and a number of measures have been undertaken to give the airport international status.The most important thing is that drawing a line under the counterterrorism operation has enormous moral and psychological significance. The leadership of Russia has officially confirmed the fact that the nest of terrorism has been crushed, that illegal armed groups have been neutralized, and militant leaders on whose conscience lay the grief and suffering of thousands of people have been destroyed, detained and brought to court. The decision will facilitate the return home of those who left Russia in various years of the operation.
Far-Reaching Impact
The decision today will also be received with great satisfaction by numerous businesspeople in the countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia who have recently expressed an interest in Chechnya and want to make considerable investments in its economy but showed some caution because of the current limitations related to the counterterrorism operation.
It is hoped that, when the issue was considered, both the interests of the republic and the country as a whole would be taken into account. We started from the principle that a thriving, peaceful Chechnya would be a factor in the stability of the south of the country as a whole. And it is pleasing that our expectations have been justified. Without waiting for the decision to be taken, a customs post has been built at a rapid pace and a number of measures have been undertaken to give the airport international status.The most important thing is that drawing a line under the counterterrorism operation has enormous moral and psychological significance. The leadership of Russia has officially confirmed the fact that the nest of terrorism has been crushed, that illegal armed groups have been neutralized, and militant leaders on whose conscience lay the grief and suffering of thousands of people have been destroyed, detained and brought to court. The decision will facilitate the return home of those who left Russia in various years of the operation.
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