The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has denounced terror attacks on multiple churches and synagogues in Russia’s predominantly Muslim Dagestan area, where the death toll has risen to 20.
In a statement released on Monday by Stephane Dujarric, his spokesperson, Mr. Guterres expressed his sympathies to the families of the deceased, the Russian people, and the Russian government. He also wished for a swift recovery for those who were injured.
An Orthodox priest was killed on Sunday when gunmen in Derbent, Pennsylvania, are said to have opened fire inside a Christian Orthodox church and synagogue using automatic rifles. Terrorists also opened fire on traffic police in Makhachkala, north of the Caspian Sea, and targeted a neighboring church in what seemed to be coordinated actions.
There have been long-lasting gunfights reported in the city, centered around the Assumption Cathedral. Along with four civilians, at least 15 police officers were among the deceased. No group has taken credit for the attacks, although Dagestani authorities reported that at least six terrorists were also slain after the assaults.
Only three months had passed since one of the bloodiest terror assaults on Russian soil in recent memory had place at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, where over 140 people were killed by an ISIS-K affiliate. Dagestan has allegedly announced three days of mourning, and Russian authorities said they were looking into whether so-called sleeper cells were involved in organizing the attacks. (NAN)
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