An angry mob in Russia's Caucasus republic of Dagestan stormed the airport of regional capital Makhachkala Oct. 29, seking to confront passengers arriving on a flight from Israel. Some held signs reading "Child killers have no place in Dagestan" and "We are against Jewish refugees." The National Guard only showed up hours after rioters had overrun all areas of the airport, including the runway. Clashes then ensued, with several arrested. There was a similar scene in the Dagestani city of Khasavyurt, after reports on social media claimed that "refugees from Israel" were being accommodated at a local hotel. Another such rally was reported from Cherkessk, capital of the repubic of Karachay-Cherkessia. And in Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria republic, an under-construction Jewish cultural center was set ablaze, with "Death to the Yahudi" written in Russian on one wall.
The Coordination Center for Muslims of the Northern Caucasus, a regional body of clerics, issued a statement condemning the incidents. Russian President Vladimir Putin said, without evidence, that the incidents had been fomented by "agents of Western special services" acting on behalf of Ukraine. (The Moscow Times [12], Caucasian Knot [13], Caucasian Knot [14], RT [15], Kyiv Independent [16], Politika [17], AP [18])
