According to the Institute for the Study of War, the Islamic State (IS) Northern Caucasus branch, Wilayat Kavkaz, likely conducted a complex and coordinated attack against churches, synagogues, and law enforcement structures in the Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation, on June 23.
Russian authorities have attempted a lackluster counterterrorism operation in the North Caucasus since March 2024 to combat growing IS and Wilayat Kavkaz influence but have largely focused their post-Crocus Hall response on baselessly blaming Ukraine and NATO for the attack.
Russia's increasingly tense relationship with its Muslim minority population, especially in the Caucasus, will likely continue to provide Wilayat Kazkaz and other extremist groups with a valuable recruitment base.
![[Image: iw371gT.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/iw371gT.jpg)
Latest campaign assessment: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 23, 2024
Russian authorities have attempted a lackluster counterterrorism operation in the North Caucasus since March 2024 to combat growing IS and Wilayat Kavkaz influence but have largely focused their post-Crocus Hall response on baselessly blaming Ukraine and NATO for the attack.
Russia's increasingly tense relationship with its Muslim minority population, especially in the Caucasus, will likely continue to provide Wilayat Kazkaz and other extremist groups with a valuable recruitment base.
Latest campaign assessment: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 23, 2024
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