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“Black Widow” and Chechnya’s Terrorism

“Black Widow” and Chechnya’s Terrorism. Done by: Lee Men Quan 4S1 (18) Yan Kaidi 4S1 (32) Yan Tianqi 4S1 (33). Table of Contents. Black Widow. known as Shahidka in Russian Islamic Chechen female suicide bombers

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“Black Widow” and Chechnya’s Terrorism

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  1. “Black Widow” and Chechnya’s Terrorism Done by: Lee Men Quan4S1 (18) Yan Kaidi 4S1 (32) Yan Tianqi 4S1 (33)

  2. Table of Contents

  3. Black Widow • known as Shahidkain Russian • Islamic Chechen female suicide bombers • Many of them were widows of men killed by Russian forces in Chechnya. • pun is intended (black widow is a poisonous spider) • Also known as “Garden of the Righteous” by commander ShamilBasayev(remember this name). • claimed to be part of a subunit of his suicide bomber squad.

  4. The Issue • The birth of the Black Widow is tied with the political history of Chechnya. • For this, we will have to understand the background and situation. • Multiple case studies will be covered

  5. The First Chechen War • When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and independence movement (known as Chechen National Congress) was formed. • Wanted Chechnya to be a separate nation. • Boris Yeltsin (president of Russian Federation) opposed and argued Chechnya had always been part of Russian Soviet Federation Socialist Republic. • Also scared that other republics of Russia would also demand independence if Chechnya was granted. • So the war broke out. • When there is conflict, there will be a chance of terrorism spawning.

  6. The First Chechen War • 1994-1996 • Russian Federation had overwhelming manpower, weaponry and support against Chechnya, but still could not control Chechnya • Mainly due to many Chechen guerilla raids (led by ShamilBasayev – remember him?). • Buddyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis (also by ShamilBasayev)– demoralised Russian Federation troops • Turned the tide and ceasefire and in 1996 peace treaty was signed. • Terrorism can be very impactful.

  7. The Effects • Chechnya economy was destroyed. • Half a million (40% pre-war population) lost their homes. • Russia tried to help economically but the funds were “eaten” up by some warlords and government authorities. • Widespread poverty – Kidnapping was the main source of income nationwide! (>$200million in three years). • Very suitable conditions for terrorists to train and mature. • Marked the growth and rise of terrorist groups.

  8. More Stimuli • 25 October 1998, Chechnya’s top anti-kidnapping official was killed in a remote-controlled car bombing. • Wahhabists (followers of a certain religion) were blamed. • The Chechen Military Guard and Islamic Militants were in a conflict and even confronted in 1998. • There were open clashes between the two groups. • The leader of the Islamic militants was ShamilBasayev. • Resulted in the Islamic militants (terrorists) becoming more active. • When religion and politics are involved, terrorists may rise.

  9. The Second Chechen War • In 1998 the Islamic International Brigade attempted to suddenly invade Russian republic of Dagestan, but failed. • Believed that they were helping their neighbours to gain independence too. • A series of apartment bombings killing 300 Russians were blamed on the Chechens. • War broke out again. • Chechen rebel forces conducted terrorist attacks. • In February 2000, Grozny was captured, the Ichkerian regime fell apart.

  10. The Second Chechen War • In October 2002, the Moscow Theatre Hostage Crisis occurred. • In 2005, Alan Maskhadov, the president of the separatist movement (also the former president of Chechnya), was killed. • ShamilBasayevwas killed in an explosion on 10 July 2006. • The ones responsible for his death is still unknown. • Suspected to be done by a rival terrorist group. • Pro-Moscow Chechen regime was installed.

  11. The First Black Widow • In June 2000, KhavaBarayeva blew herself up in a Russian army base. • She is known as the first Black Widow. • Subsequently, this name has been used to address suicide bombers in Chechnya, of which many are female.

  12. Notable Acts of Terrorism 2 women attacked a school, killing 334 civilians including 184 children. Masterminded by: ShamilBasayev 6 June, 2 women suicide bombed at a rock concert in Moscow, killing 16 A suicide bomber detonated prematurely in front of the State Duma (Federal Assembly of Russia), a government building. Killed 6 and injured 13. May, woman attempted to assasinate president during Ilashkan-Yurt by suicide bombing. 29 March, 2 suicide bombers detonated at Metro. 2000 2003 2004 2009 2010 5 June, woman suicide bombed a bus, killing 17 Russian militants and severely injuring 15 of them. A bomb in a café detonated as the bomb diffusal officer approached it. Female suicide bomber failed. April, Russian forces ended its counter-terrorism operation. Pulled out bulk of army. December, a male and female suicide bomber killed 46 and injured 100 by detonating on a commuter train in South Russia Russian army base blown up – First Black Widow

  13. Tactics • It is not known how Black Widows are recruited. • Suspected tactics include tricking and kidnapping ladies or girls. • The suicide bombers need no training, and many of the bombs are remote-controlled. • This makes it easy to recruit and bomb. • Grenades are usually strapped to the suicide bomber’s legs, and other explosives are usually put in bags or strapped to the suicide bomber’s body. • Male suicide bombers do exist among the Black Widows.

  14. A Famous Case • Moscow Theatre Hostage Crisis • Also known as 2002 Nord-Ost siege. • 23 October 2002 • A crowded Moscow theatre was seized by 40 to 50 armed Chechens from the Islamic militant Separatist Movement. • Took 850 hostages and demanded Russian forces to withdraw and end the Second Chechen War. • Led by MovsarBarayev.

  15. The Tragedy • An unknown chemical (believed to be 3-Methylfentanyl, an extremely potent street drug) was pumped into the ventilation system. • Then the Russian Spetsnaz raided the place. • Roughly 170 people died in all. • Only 39 terrorists were officially killed by the Russian Spetsnaz. • The rest were killed by the gas. • There were only a few survivors. • The Russian government refused to reveal the identity of the drug and so the survivors could not be treated.

  16. A Recent Case • 2 suicide bombs were detonated on a Metro train in Moscow • 29 March, 2010 • The 2 female bombers detonated their bombs 40 minutes apart, the first one just before 8am (10am in our timezone). • Killed at least 39 commuters and injured 60 others. • 500, 000 commuters travel in by Metro trains during the peak hours (which was when the bombs were detonated). • Investigation is still on-going, but the terrorist groups from North Caucasian (Black Widow) are highly suspected.

  17. A Recent Case • This bombing is suspected to be a retaliation for a raid in February 2010 by Russian forces in Ingushetia, Chechnya's western neighbour • 20 insurgents died, including the presumed leader of a bomb attack on a Moscow to St Petersburg express train in November 2009. • However, it may also be due to the withdrawal of bulk of the Russian troops last year, that they have become bolder. • Although it is not confirmatory, the Black Widows are highly suspected to be behind this terrorist attack.

  18. Summary • The conflict over the independence of Chechnya brought about conflict between Russia and Chechnya. • This led to the birth of guerilla warfare and terrorism (The First Chechen War). • Post-war poverty further aggravated the situation and allowed such activities to prosper. • The Second Chechen War was won by Republic of Russia, but terrorist attacks continue. • Women are often used as suicide bombers. • Recently, there was a case of terrorist bombing on Metro train station. • Similarly, we can see that MRT in Singapore is very vulnerable.

  19. References Picture sources: http://www.microbotic.org/Photos/Black%20Widow/BlackWidow1.jpg http://thebreaksover.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/usb-memory-bomb.jpg Video sources: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/30/russia.subway.explosions/index.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPlv-Ya8tk Information sources: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/30/russia.subway.explosions/index.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aslan_Maskhadov http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chechnya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_theater_hostage_crisis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamil_Basayev http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahidka http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8592689.stm

  20. Thank You

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