Aliaskhab Kebekov facts for kids

Aliaskhab Alibulatovich Kebekov (Russian: Алиасхаб Алибулатович Кебеков; 1 January 1972 – 19 April 2015), also known as Ali Abu Muhammad (Russian: Али Абу Мухаммад), was a leader from Dagestan, Russia. He became the head of a group called the Caucasus Emirate after its first leader, Dokka Umarov, passed away. Kebekov followed a certain religious belief. The United States Department of State listed him as a person involved in dangerous activities in March 2015. Russian security forces killed Kebekov on April 19, 2015, in Buynaksk, Dagestan. He was from the Avar people and was the first non-Chechen to lead this group in the North Caucasus region.

Early Life and Role

Aliaskhab Kebekov was born on January 1, 1972. This was in what is now the Shamilsky District of Dagestan. He joined a part of the Caucasus Emirate group known as Vilayat Dagestan.

In October 2010, Dokka Umarov chose Kebekov to be a Qadi, or judge, for the Caucasus Emirate. His job was to make religious decisions for the group's actions. Kebekov accepted this role. He had some doubts because he was not a Mujtahid, which means a scholar with deep knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah (holy books and teachings).

Leading the Caucasus Emirate

On January 16, 2014, an audio message was shared online. In it, a voice believed to be Kebekov's said that Umarov had died. Kebekov seemed to not want to take over as leader. He said he had no military experience and had never been a commander. Instead, he suggested Aslambek Vadalov for the role.

However, in March 2014, Kebekov agreed to become the new leader. The Kavkaz Center, a website linked to the Caucasus Emirate, announced his new position. They also confirmed Umarov's death. After this announcement, the site shared messages of loyalty to Kebekov. These messages came from groups in Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Kabardino-Balkaria. Some members of a Chechen-led group in Syria also pledged their loyalty.

In a video from June 2014, Kebekov apologized to people who had been hurt by the group's actions. He stated that civilians should not be targeted. The Caucasus Emirate became more active in its operations. The group claimed responsibility for some attacks. One of the largest attacks happened in Grozny in 2014. During this event, 14 Russian policemen were killed. This attack was one of the biggest since the Volgograd bombings in December 2013, which were also carried out by the Caucasus Emirate.

Challenges and Changes

In late 2014 and early 2015, some commanders and members of the Caucasus Emirate changed their loyalty. They switched from Kebekov to the leader of another group called the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

On April 19, 2015, Russian security forces killed Kebekov. This happened during a raid on a house in Buynaksk. After his death, Magomed Suleimanov reportedly became the new leader of the Caucasus Emirate.

See also

In Spanish: Aliaskhab Kebekov para niños