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Russia 'ends Chechnya operation' Russia 'ends Chechnya operation'
(41 minutes later)
Russia has ended its "counter-terrorism operation" in the southern republic of Chechnya, the National Anti-terrorist Committee has told Russian media. Russia has ended its decade-long "counter-terrorism operation" against separatist rebels in the southern republic of Chechnya, officials say.
The committee said the decision aimed "to create conditions to further normalise the situation in the region". The move aimed "to create conditions to further normalise the situation", the National Anti-terrorist Committee said.
Russian forces have fought two major campaigns against separatist rebels in the predominantly Muslim republic since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian forces have fought two wars in the mainly Muslim republic since 1994.
Sporadic clashes persist, but major fighting died down several years ago. Moscow says Chechnya has stabilised under its pro-Kremlin President, Ramzan Kadyrov, but human rights groups accuse his militias of widespread abuses.
Last month, President Dmitry Medvedev asked the security services to consider ending the operation that has been in force for a decade, saying the situation in Chechnya had "normalised to a large degree". "We received the news about cancelling the counter-terrorism operation with great satisfaction," Mr Kadyrov told Russia's Interfax news agency on Thursday.
"We must create new possibilities for investment and employment," he told officials in a broadcast on state television. Now the Chechen Republic... is a peaceful, developing territory, and cancelling the counter-terrorism operation will only promote economic growth in the republic Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7974652.stm"> Chechen problem far from over
There was no immediate information from the anti-terrorist committee on what Wednesday's decision would mean for the deployment of troops in Chechnya or the security restrictions that are in place. "The leadership of Russia has officially confirmed the fact that the nest of terrorism has been crushed, that illegal armed groups have been neutralised, and militant leaders on whose conscience lay the grief and suffering of thousands of people have been destroyed, detained and brought to court."
These include curfews, road blocks, periodic searches by the security forces for suspected Islamist fighters, and easier detention rules. "Now the Chechen Republic... is a peaceful, developing territory, and cancelling the counter-terrorism operation will only promote economic growth in the republic," he added.
Sporadic clashes persist in Chechnya, however, and violence continues in the neighbouring regions of Dagestan and Ingushetia.
Troop levels
In a statement on Thursday, Russia's National Anti-terrorist Committee said it had "cancelled the decree imposing an anti-terror operation on the territory of Chechnya, effective from midnight [2000 GMT on Wednesday]".
"This decision aims to create conditions to further normalise the situation in the region, to restore and develop its economic and social infrastructure," it said.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says the announcement is a moment of great symbolism, but that in fact relative stability was established some time ago.
The Chechen rebels who have been fighting for independence for their republic for 15 years have not been able to carry out any serious attacks since 2004, our correspondent says.
And while the rebels have been confined to the mountains, the capital Grozny, which once lay in ruins after two brutal wars, is now being rapidly rebuilt, he adds.
President Dmitry Medvedev ordered the end of the counter-terrorism operation after announcing last month that he believed the region was now stable enough to ease security restrictions.
These include curfews, road blocks, periodic searches by the security forces for suspected Islamist fighters, and relaxed detention rules.
"We must create new possibilities for investment and employment," Mr Medvedev said in a broadcast on state television in March.
Our correspondent says now the question is how many Russian troops will remain in Chechnya.
A source in the Russian interior ministry has said 5,000 of its troops would gradually pull out, but it is not yet clear how many regular soldiers will do the same, he adds.
Are you in Chechnya? What is your reaction to the decision? Is Chechnya now at peace? What are the chances of long-term peace and stability in the region? What are conditions currently like there? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Chechnya? What is your reaction to the decision? Is Chechnya now at peace? What are the chances of long-term peace and stability in the region? What are conditions currently like there? Send us your comments using the form below.
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