According to reporter Chris Stephens, an estimated 200 of these thugs were involved with, biiiig surprise, hostages taken by the islamicists.
The immediately precipitating cause was this:
The attack comes in a province that had until now been spared the years of fighting that have scarred Chechnya and much of the Caucasus.
But tensions have surfaced between Moscow and its mostly Muslim population in recent months over the decision to close some mosques, and after raids by security forces on suspected Chechen sympathisers. [1]
From the size of the attacking force, the planning necessary for it, and the speed with which it was mounted it is clear beyond all doubt that the peace of Nalchik was an illusion.
The islamicists had been organizing and planning for a long time before the ostensible reason for their attack took place.
No doubt additional reports will show that the mosques that were shut down were sources of virulent hatred preached by the mullahs. And there can be no doubt that the raids on the suspected Chechen sympathisizers were entirely justified.
The local(?) islamicists were delighted to go straight from unjustified anger at legitimate security precautions to all out insurrection and wanton murder.
Notes
[1] "59 rebels killed in battle for city." By Chris Stephens, The Scotsman, 10/14/05.
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