Fought in both Chechen wars and is considered an experienced leader
Served as security minister for Chechnya during short-term de facto independence (1996-1999)
Born in 1964, has six known children with a wife who was reportedly killed March 28, 2011
After the Russian takeover of Chechnya, rose through the ranks from commander of the Chechen resistance to commander of the "South-Western Front" in 2002 timeline backwards - commander of the “South-Western Front” in Chechnya to head of the Chechen resistance
Considered an important factor in the June 2004 Chechen incursion into Ingushetia and allegedly led the Beslan school siege in September of that same year
Took over Chechen resistance in 2006 after the death of Abdul-Khalim Sadulayev, who was attempting to unite Islamist resistance to Russian rule in the North Caucasus
Declared himself emir of the Caucasus Emirate in October 2007, laying claim not only to Chechnya, but also Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, with alleged jamaats operating in and the Nogai Steppe and in Adygea We explain the questionable size of the groups in popup 5
Current emir of Nokchicho Vilaiyat (literally Chechen province), the rival of Emir Hussein Gakayev's Independent Nokchicho Vilaiyat -- there was a split between the Chechen leadership in August 2010, and loyalties to Umarov are shaky in some sectors, leaving Chechnya with two rival vilaiyats: the one led by Umarov and the Independent Nokchicho (Chechnya) Vilaiyat led by Emir Hussein Gakayev [Going too deep; we lay this all out in part 3] Approved by Primo
At least 17 military sectors, each with its own emir, and multiple jamaats are still loyal to Umarov in Chechnya; it is also assumed that most fighters outside of the declared Independent Nokchicho Vilaiyat are loyal to him
Held responsible by the Kremlin for planning the high-profile attack at Moscow's Domodedovo airport in January 2011 as well as the March 2010 Moscow Metro suicide bombings and the November 2009 St. Petersburg train bombing
Survived several assassination attempts, most recently in Dagestan on March 28, 2011, when Russian jets pounded locations thought to house CE members; the assault killed Umarov's wife, his personal physician and key leaders of the Caucasus Emirate, including his deputy, Abu Supyan Abdullayev (Umarov called RFE/RL on April 7 and confirmed that he was alive)
Pop-up 2
Header Text: Deputy Emir of the Caucasus Emirate -- Abu Supyan Abdullayev
Served as a religious leader and propagandist in the second Chechen war
Succeeded Aslan Maskhadov as leader of the Chechen resistance
Announced the creation of the Caucasus Front in May 2005, the first linking of the Chechen resistance with anti-Russian and Islamist insurgents in neighboring republics
Split into at least two fronts and six sectors, each with its own emir
Led by Emir Hussein Gakayev
Fought in both Chechen wars
Served as minister of internal affairs in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in the inter-regnum and as minister of interior for the Caucasus Emirate province of Nokchicho
Split with Umarov and others after a video surfaced in which Umarov named Aslambek Vadalov as his successor (Umarov reneged on the decision a day later)
Other reports say the split with Umarov revolved around the allocation of funds for the various provinces
Image: None. Place a question mark and silhouette of a face.
Body Text:
Galgaiche Vilaiyat (local name for Ingushetia province, though North Ossetia was part of it before Galgaiche Vilaiyat was recognized as a separate entity) contains an estimated three sectors with an estimated eight jamaats of various sizes; thought to operate in North Ossetia as well
Leader was Emir Magas, who was captured by Russian forces June 9, 2010
Ilez Gardanov succeeded Emir Magas and was killed Aug. 23, 2010
Last reported emir was Emir Adam (aka Adam Ganishev)
MAP Pop-up 4:Kabardino-Balkaria/Karachay-Cherkessia (place icon on the border between the two)
Header Text: United Province of Kabardino-Balkaria-Karachay Vilaiyat (OVKBK)
Nearly entire leadership was killed April 29, 2011, including Emir Abdullah, Emir of the Northeastern Sector Abdul Jabbar (aka Kazbek Tashu), Emir of the Southwestern Sector Zakaria (aka Ratmir Shameyev) and Deputy Emir Abdul Jabbar
Was led by Emir Abdullah (aka Asker Dzhappuyev)
Led Yarmuk Jamaat after the death of Emir Seyfullah (aka Anzor Astemirov) before taking over OVKBK
Went into hiding after three members were killed March 10, 2011 -- group members believed they were betrayed by a mole, demonstrating Russian effectiveness [superfluous] Agreed
Killed April 29, 2011, in the village of Progress, on the border of Kabardino-Balkaria and Stavropol Krai
Replacement unknown
MAP Pop-up 5: Nogai Steppe (would cover Krasnodar Krai, Adygea -- within Krasnodar Krai -- and Stravropol Krai) [http://eurodialogue.org/Caucasus-The-War-That-Was-The-World-War-That-Might-Have-Been]
Header Text: Nogai Steppe Vilaiyat
Image: http://visualrian.com/images/item/427120 (guy standing is Asker Setov; not sure if we can use)
Body Text:
Nogai Steppe Vilaiyat covers Krasnodar Krai, Adygea and Stavropol Krai; it is considered small, has two known jamaats (Adygea and Nogaysk), and is essentially an umbrella group for these three predominantly Russian regions
Emir Vakhab (aka Asker Setov) is the last known jamaat leader of Adygea and is currently incarcerated by Russia
Aygea Jamaat includes the entire Krasnodar Krai region; Muslim Circassians, now 25 percent of Adygea, used to inhabit the whole Krasnodar region until they were expelled following the Caucasus War in 1864 [I don't think this adds anything and actually confused me more … could just add they're Muslim Circassians like we do for Nogaysk Jamaat] its members are believed to be Muslim Circassians in the region
Nogaysk Jamaat, whose leadership and membership is unknown, is thought to be active in Stavropol Krai and composed of mostly believed to be ethnic Nogays
No known activity from 2007 until February 2011
Membership and subordinate or competing leadership is unknown