Derbent Jamaat

Derbent Jamaat
LeadersRappani Khalilov  
Abdul Madzhid  
Magomed Vagabov  
Israpil Velijanov  
Kamaldin Kazimagomedov  
Hasan Abdullaev  
Dates of operation2007 – 5 November 2016
Active regionsRussian North Caucasus (Dagestan)
Part ofShariat Jamaat
AlliesCaucasus Emirate
Opponents Russia
 Azerbaijan
Battles and warsInsurgency in the North Caucasus
Attack on Abu Bakr Mosque of Baku
Operation Eagle

Derbent Jamaat (Russian: Дербентский джамаат), also known as the Forest Brothers (Russian: Лесные братья, Azerbaijani: Meşə qardaşları), and the Southern Group (Russian: Группировка «Южная»), was an Islamist Jihadist group based in the Russian republic of Dagestan, part of the Shariat Jamaat of the Caucasus Emirate. The group had engaged in attacks on law enforcement officers, organized terrorist attacks, distributed Wahhabi literature, and undertook propaganda and agitation activities in Dagestan and the neighboring country of Azerbaijan.

The group was created and headed by Rappani Khalilov until his death in September 2007. He was succeeded by emir Abdul Madzhid. Participant of the Chechen Wars, Madzhid was killed in September 2008 and was replaced by Israpil Velijanov. After the death of Velijanov in April 2011, the Derbent Jamaat became disoriented, though it remained active until its remaining members were killed in November 2016.