Terror acts in Surgut, Kaspiysk and Europe indicate change in IS* tactics

Militants from the banned terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS) start replacing group attacks which are to be difficulty organized by solo actions requiring minimal organization and funds. This was stated by experts who commented on the terror acts in Surgut and Kaspiysk, as well as attacks on civilians in Europe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 19, in the centre of Surgut, Arthur Gadjiev, a descendant of immigrants from Dagestan, attacked passers-by with a knife, wounded seven persons and was killed by policemen. On August 28, policemen were attacked at a gas station in Kaspiysk, and a staff member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) was fatally stabbed. Terrorist organization "Islamic State", banned in Russia by court, took responsibility for both attacks.

Orkhan Djemal, a Forbes journalist, sees interrelation in a chain of recent attacks in Surgut and Kaspiysk, as well as attacks on civilians in Europe.

"Given the fact that the IS* claimed responsibility for the attack in Kaspiysk, all that is interrelated. Such terror acts do not need preparation and organization, while everything can be done alone: for example, he planned that at breakfast, and he did that by afternoon. From the centre, they need only an approval of their actions," Orkhan Djemal told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

When commenting on the use of cold weapons by militants, Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, an expert on Northern Caucasus, has emphasized that a knife has a special symbolism in the IS*.

"At the same time, these are the cheapest and most accessible ways of injuring people," the expert notes. She believes that "IS* has changed its tactics," and now it works with random followers, "newly recruited, without experience and combat training."

*The organization is recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia by the court.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.