Russia’s Dagestan: Conflict Causes

Russia’s Dagestan: Conflict Causes

To halt escalating killings fuelled by indigenous jihadi movements in Dagestan, Moscow and local leaders must implement an efficient anti-corruption policy and reintegrate youth into the economic and political system. Street warfare has increased since 2003 and has far surpassed inter-ethnic conflict over land, resources and employment as the main source of violence. Large-scale war is unlikely to develop in Dagestan. Nevertheless, the federal authorities need to undertake serious efforts to break the cycle of attacks and reprisals between security forces and militants, which has grown distinctly worse in the past year.