Analysts point to similarity of Magas attack with other ones committed under IS* brand

The attack on the road-and-patrol service (DPS) post in Magas fits into the global trend of actions that terrorists commit on behalf of the "Islamic State"*, the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 31, 2019, two attackers knocked down with their car a DPS inspector, who stood on the road at the entrance to Magas, and then attacked the police outfit with their knives. According to law enforcers, the attackers were Mikail Miziev and Akhmed Imagozhev. Miziev was shot dead on the spot; and Imagozhev was wounded and placed into the intensive care ward. One of the policemen was also killed; three other law enforcers received wounds. The IS* has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The IS* could well be involved in the attack in Ingushetia, the British journalist, Joanna Paraschuk, believes.

"The IS* – as an ideology, as an idea, and also as an organization – is still operating in Ingushetia, and not only on the Internet. That is, there are people there who are ready to organize and commit terror acts, and not just talk about them," Ms Paraschuk told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Akhmet Yarlykapov, a senior researcher at the Centre for Caucasus Problems and Regional Security at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (known as MGIMO), believes that the attack fits well into the global trend of actions on behalf of the IS*; and the organization itself is used as a brand.

"In reality, the IS* has no organizational attitude to all terror acts and attacks ... But the logic of terrorism is such that it's enough to take this brand and express consent with the IS'* idea in order to spread their 'cause'."

Moreover, according to Yarlykapov, the general style of attacks on state servants by using improvised means (knives, axes and other items) is in line with the development trends of terrorist organizations around the world, including in the Caucasus.

* Islamic State (IS, former ISIL) is a terrorist organization, banned in Russia by the court

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 4, 2020 at 03:43 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.