Terror Attacks in Dagestan Target Synagogue, Church, and Police
Coordinated terrorist attacks struck the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala in Dagestan, Russia, Sunday night, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The attackers targeted a synagogue and an Orthodox church in Derbent, and a police post in Makhachkala, using automatic weapons.
According to the Russian Interior Ministry, the attacks began at 6 pm local time in Derbent, where gunmen opened fire on the synagogue and the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin. The attackers then fled in a white Volkswagen Polo. A 66-year-old priest was killed in the church, while a police officer was killed at the synagogue. A fire broke out at the synagogue, which was reported to have been severely damaged.
In Makhachkala, simultaneous attacks occurred, including gunfire at a traffic police post and a synagogue on Ermoshkina Street. Videos posted on social media showed fighters in black clothing shooting at police cars. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that two sons and a nephew of the head of the Sergokalinsky District, Magomed Omarov, were involved in the attacks and were killed in confrontations with police.
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The coordinated assaults resulted in the deaths of at least seven police officers, a security guard, and a priest, with 13 others injured. Dagestan official Sergei Melikov stated that the attacks aimed to destabilize Russian society, and an operational headquarters was established to ensure the safety of residents.
Rabbi Berel Lazar, chief rabbi of Russia, confirmed that while the synagogue in Derbent was severely damaged, there were no casualties among community members. Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the exiled chief rabbi of Moscow, condemned the attacks and expressed concern for the affected communities, criticizing Russian law enforcement for failing to prevent such incidents.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that two synagogue guards in Makhachkala were shot while inside their car, but no worshipers were present at the time. The attacks were linked to ISIS. Last year, Dagestan experienced an attempted pogrom against Jewish travelers at its airport, and ISIS activities have increased, including a thwarted attack on a Moscow synagogue in April and a deadly concert shooting.
Russia’s commissioner for human rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, condemned the terrorist attacks and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
