Terrorist Bombings, Hostage Crisis Keep Russia on Edge

After last week’s twin plane crashes and a bomb attack at Moscow metro station the other day, yesterday’s hostage incident at a school in the Republic of North Ossetia shook the whole country. Armed men raided a school on the first day of the school year and took nearly 400 people hostage. 132 children are believed to be among the hostages.

Nine were killed in clashes at the beginning of the hostage crisis in the city of Beslan, according to preliminary reports. Russia put its security forces on high alert and tightened security measures at all nuclear facilities. Russia also closed its border with Georgia. However, Putin is not expected to postpone his Turkey trip.

Mufti Ruslan Valgatov, leader of the Muslims in North Ossetia, entered the school to negotiate with the hostage takers; however, the terrorists refused to meet with him. Russian interior intelligence service North Ossetia Chief Valeri Andreyev said that they made contact with the rebels and began talks; however, the hostage takers refused to provide food and water for the hostages. Meanwhile, Chechen leaders Aslan Mashadov and Shamil Basayev denied any involvement in the situation.

The 17-member armed gang, which includes several suicide bombers, is threatening to blow up the school if police attempt to raid the building.

Elsewhere, the United Nations (UN) Security Council held an emergency meeting last night upon Russia’s request to discuss the latest incidents in the country. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan harshly condemned the situation in North Ossetia and called for the release of the hostages.

The terrorists are demanding that Russia free rebels who were jailed for reportedly killing 50 people, mostly security officials, in Ingushetia. The terrorists also want Russia’s military to withdraw from Chechnya, and for leaders of North Ossetia and Ingushetia to meet. The latter demand raised speculations that the terrorists are not only comprised of Chechen rebels.