|
|
Change Your Life! |
Chechen rebels stage hit-and-run attacks on Russian positions |
|
News
|
April 12, 2000
NAZRAN, Russia, APR 11 (AP) - Chechen rebels taking advantage of a lull in the fighting are staging hit-and-run attacks on Russian positions in the southern mountains of Chechnya, the military said Tuesday.
Despite the comparative calm, Russian positions in the Nozhai-Yurt, Vedeno and Shatoi districts came under attack on Monday night, the military command press service said.
"Rebels are acting in small groups, mainly at night, and setting up ambushes along the routes of federal convoys," the command told the Interfax news agency.
The approach of spring has made moving and hiding in Chechnya's mountains easier for the rebels to launch sneak attacks on the Russian positions.
The insurgents in the mountains have fiercely resisted Russian forces throughout the winter. Although far outnumbered, they are skilled guerrilla fighters and the return of greenery would give them good cover for stealthy approaches on Russian units.
Federal forces, meanwhile, are fortifying the border with Georgia to the south and along the eastern border with Dagestan, the military command told Interfax on Tuesday.
"Rebels are regrouping in the mountains, fortifying their bases and preparing for a breakthrough" to Georgia and Dagestan, the command said.
Bad weather forced the Russian air force to drastically reduce the number of combat missions, and all-weather bombers flew only four sorties against rebel bases over the past 24 hours, the command said.
Russia claims to control the northern two-thirds of Chechnya, but rebels have attacked checkpoints in recent weeks and ambushed Russian troops deep in the north with apparent ease, keeping federal forces on the defensive.
Russia sent ground troops into Chechnya in September. The campaign came after rebels invaded neighboring Dagestan, and the rebels are also blamed in apartment building blasts in Russia that killed about 300 people.
|