Gunmen Kill at Least 6 at Synagogue and Churches in Russian Republic

A series of deadly attacks occurred in Russia’s southern republic of Dagestan, resulting in the deaths of at least six police officers and a priest. Gunmen opened fire at a synagogue, churches, and a police post in two cities, Makhachkala and Derbent, causing chaos and destruction, according to the local interior ministry.

The coordinated attacks left a dozen police officers injured, with reports of casualties in both cities. In Derbent, a synagogue and a church were targeted, resulting in the death of a police officer and a local priest who had served for 40 years. Videos showed the synagogue engulfed in flames, with authorities confirming the destruction of both religious sites.

Meanwhile, in Makhachkala, gunmen targeted a street housing a synagogue, but no injuries were reported. The Russian Investigative Committee launched a terrorism investigation into the attacks, which have heightened tensions in the predominantly Muslim republic with a Jewish population.

The violence in Dagestan has escalated in recent months, exacerbated by conflicts in the Middle East. An incident in October involving an angry mob searching for Jewish passengers at an airport shocked the community and drew international condemnation.

Dagestan’s leader condemned the attacks as an attempt to destabilize the region, with law enforcement taking action against the gunmen. While some attackers were killed, others remain at large, prompting heightened security measures in Makhachkala.

The motives and identities of the attackers are still unknown, but the violence comes in the wake of previous terrorist incidents in Russia. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a concert hall attack in Moscow, further highlighting the ongoing threat of extremism.