United Vilayat of Kabarda, Balkaria and Karachay

United Vilayat of Kabarda-Balkaria-Karachay
Leaders
Dates of operationJuly 2002[7] (official declaration of the anti-Russian jihad in August 2004) – 7 October 2007 (Under various names))
7 October 2007 – 7 February 2017 (As United Vilayat of Kabarda-Balkaria-Karachay
Active regionsRussian North Caucasus (Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia)
SizeThe group's official cumulative total of 500 members in 2002–2007 (many less at any given time)[8]
Russian official estimate of no more than 50 active fighters in 2010 (not including supporters)[9]
Part of
AlliesVilayat Dagestan
Vilayat Galgayche
Vilayat Nokhchicho
OpponentsRussia
Georgia
United States
Battles and warsthe Second Chechen War, Insurgency in the North Caucasus, Insurgency in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia
Preceded by
  • Islamic Center
  • Jamaat of Kabardino-Balkaria
  • Yarmuk Jamaat

The United Vilayat of Kabarda-Balkaria-Karachay (UVKBK, Russian: Объединенный вилайят Кабарды, Балкарии и Карачая), also known as Vilayat KBK, was a militant Islamist Jihadist organization connected to numerous attacks against the local and federal security forces in the Russian republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia in the North Caucasus. Vilayet KBK has been a member of the Caucasus Emirate group since 2007.[10]

The group drew most of its early members from the Balkars, a small ethnic minority in the republic.[11] However, their long-time leader between 2005 and 2010, Anzor Astemirov (Emir Sayfullah), was a Kabardin. Members come from other ethnic groups, including the Karachays and ethnic Russians. The group was named after the 7th-century Battle of Yarmouk.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference jamestownmlm was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "At least three suspected militants killed in CTO in Nalchik". Caucasian Knot. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  3. ^ "NAC announces completion of CTO in Baksan; FSB officer killed". Caucasian Knot. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Islamic State Apparently Wins Its Competition With Caucasus Emirate". Jamestown Foundation. 2015-11-13. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
  5. ^ Liz Fuller (2015-01-26). "Shock Waves From Insurgency Commanders' Defection To IS Felt Beyond North Caucasus". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
  6. ^ "NAC: Zalim Shebzukhov killed in special operation in Saint Petersburg". Caucasian Knot. 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  7. ^ Analysis: N Caucasus militants, BBC News, 13 October 2005
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference 3years was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Yarmuk Jammat Regroups after Death of Astemirov in Sign of new Militant Strategy Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Jamestown Foundation, 8 May 2010
  10. ^ "The North Caucasus: The Challenges of Integration (II), Islam, the Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency" (PDF). International Crisis Group. 19 October 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference jamaat was invoked but never defined (see the help page).