Vengeance of the ‘Black Widows’

Chechens are engaged in guerrilla warfare with Russian forces to get independence from clutches of the communist country. Chechnya was a federal subject of Soviet Union but after the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991, the Chechen-Ingush ASSR was divided into the Republic of Ingushetia and the proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria that sought the establishment of an independent state.1 General Dzhokhar Dudayev, the newly selected Chechen leader, declared Chechnya a sovereign state on November 1, 1991 that resulted in crossing of blazing swords between the Chechen fighters and the Red Forces. A de facto Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was established after First Chechen War of 1994 to 1996 but the autonomous existence of the natives was not acceptable to power intoxicated Russia still licking its wounds of defeat inflicted in Afghan Jihad; therefore, it launched Second Chechen War on August 26, 1999 to crush and subjugate the indigenous people. 2

           The local freedom fighters retaliated by launching guerilla warfare. Ultimately, they resorted to suicide bombing on June 6, 2000 to counter the aggressive designs of their potent enemy. They decided to launch “dying to kill” operations so that their future generations can breathe in fresh air of liberty. Female suicide bombers conducted majority of these attacks due to vengeance because their near and dear ones were brutally slaughtered by the cruel soldiers of a power boozed giant. They prepared themselves to give up the ghost to kill their adversaries. Confucius, China’s most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist (551-479 BC) fittingly attributed, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”3 Fourteen out of twenty-three suicide attacks occurred in Chechnya were commenced by female suicide bombers of Chechnya known as “Shahidkas” or “Black Widows”.  “Specialists say nearly all Chechen women in the conflict areas are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders. Three-quarters have lost relatives, 60% have had their homes destroyed and at least half are unemployed.”4 In addition to this, four suicide attacks occurred in the adjoining region of North Caucuses. The targets of suicide bombers were government installations and military compounds in and around Chechnya.  No evidence of foreign involvement or receiving of reward for training and carrying out of suicide bombing has been traced.5

         Chechens are withstanding the worst form of subjugation and slavery. They are struggling to win freedom from the steely grip of a power boozed dinosaur. The international community has failed to pursue Russia to grant freedom to natives. The role of the UN is tremendously bleak in resolving such intricate international conflicts. Similarly, OIC has failed to act as effective organization to compel tyrant state to grant self-rule to the indigenous Muslims. If Russia won’t grant independence to the people under its thumb, its civilians are also bound to face deadly retaliations like the Beslan School siege commenced by the determined fighters.