The emergence of Umarov as the leader of the Chechen insurgency intensified the split between national separatists and radical jihadists and led to a movement seeking to create an Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus with Umarov as the Emir. Umarov claimed responsibility for masterminding attacks in both Russia and the Caucasus region, most recently acknowledging involvement in the 2009 Nevsky Express train derailment which killed 28 people, and the 2010 Moscow subway bombings, which killed 40.
“The designation of Umarov is in direct response to the threats posed to United States and Russia,” said Ambassador Daniel Benjamin, the Department of State’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism. “The recent attacks perpetrated by Umarov and his operatives illustrate the global nature of the terrorist problem we face today. We stand in solidarity with the Russian people in our condemnation of these deplorable terrorist acts.”
This designation represents just one phase of the United States Government’s response to the threat posed by Doku Umarov. The action taken today against Umarov supports the U.S. effort to degrade Umarov’s ability to exert operational and leadership control over Caucasus Emirates. We are determined to eliminate the group’s ability to direct violent attacks and to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Umarov’s network.
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Preceding provided by the U.S. State Department