14 December 2022, 17:09
Kadyrov confirms participation of Batal-Hadji members in hostilities in Ukraine as part of "Akhmat" special unit
The Batal-Hadji rapid reaction detachment is part of the "Akhmat" special unit and is already participating in the special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has announced.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in response to Kadyrov's support, members of the Batal-Hadji Ingush brotherhood agreed to form a detachment to take part in the SMO in Ukraine. After arrests, searches and criminal cases against Batal-Hadji members, Kadyrov provided them with public protection, the "Meduza"* has noted.
On October 27, 2022, law enforcers searched the house of Mustafa Belkharoev, the head of the Accounts Chamber of Ingushetia, and detained him, as well as Mikail Aliev, a relative of the Belkharoevs and an ex-MP of Ingushetia. Kadyrov stood up for the Belkharoevs and noted that they would always be his close friends.
Fighters from Ingushetia, as members of the Batal-Hadji Rapid Response Detachment are taking part in the SMO in Ukraine, Kadyrov has stated. "This detachment is part of the 'Akhmat' special unit," he wrote in his Telegram channel.
In November, Kadyrov called to recruit not only men, but also women to the reserve. He also called on Chechen Sufis to form military units on the principle of belonging to certain religious brotherhoods.
Batal-Hadji Belkharoev is an Ingush sheikh, a follower of Sheikh Kunta-Hadji. According to sources, in 2019, the Batal-Hadji brotherhood had about 5000 members. The leaders of the brotherhood are on friendly terms with the head of Chechnya.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 13, 2022 at 04:09 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: Caucasian Knot
