Attacks on churches and synagogues in Russia’s Dagestan region resulted in the deaths of primarily police officers, with officials reporting a toll of 19 fatalities. The violence has raised concerns about Islamist extremism in the historically turbulent North Caucasus.
The assaults occurred on Sunday, just months after the Islamic State group perpetrated a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall, the worst in nearly two decades. Moscow has announced the conclusion of an “anti-terrorist operation” and claimed to have eliminated five assailants responsible for coordinated attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent.