The Islamic State group just gained six new commanders — in Russia.
Three Chechen and three Daghestani commanders have retracted an oath of loyalty to Caucasus Emirate leader Sheikh Ali Abu-Muhammad (Aliaskhab Kebekov) and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group’s Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Sultan Zaynalabidov, Rustam Aselderov, Abu-Mukhammad Agachaulsky, Makhran Saidov and two other commanders known as Khamzat and Usman are now loyal to the terror organization attempting to create an Islamic caliphate in the heart of the Middle East, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty reported Friday.
The website reported that experts are unclear why the realignment has happened. Radio Liberty said it is possible that some Islamic radicals in Russia may be turned off by a more “moderate” approach to jihad, or that generational disagreements may be a factor.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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