The Islamic Caucasus Emirate (ICE) has lost its third emir in just over a year and half. Magomed Suleimanov, also known as Abu Usman Gimrinsky, was publicly announced as the group’s leader on July 1. Just over a month later, Russian counterterrorism forces killed him.

The State Department has added Aliaskhab Kebekov (also known as Ali Abu Muhammad al Dagestani), who heads the Islamic Caucasus Emirate, to the US government’s list of specially designated global terrorists. State notes that Kebekov has proclaimed his organization’s “structural subordination” to al Qaeda.

The Ansar al Din Front in Syria has released a statement mourning the death of Harith al Nadhari, a sharia official in al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula who was killed in a US drone strike on Jan. 31. The statement is further evidence that Ansar al Din is, at a minimum, closely allied with al Qaeda’s international network.

Russian Media Suggests Moscow ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Gang Linked To Islamic State, Central Asia

Syria’s Dagestan ruled by the sword of ISIS

Russia Warned U.S. About Tsarnaev, But Spelling Issue Let Him Escape

Latest Report Of Umarov’s Death Leaves Details Unclear

Muslims In Daghestan, Azerbaijan Call For Boycott Of New Year Celebrations

The bombing, which was likely executed by the Islamic Caucasus Emirate, took place in a region where Russia will host the 2014 Winter Olympics, and is the second suicide attack in Volgograd since October.

Russian rebels in Syria ‘pose threat to Olympics’

Daghestan Government Dismissed

Dagestan and the Tsarnaev brothers: The radicalisation risk

Russia Wants Tourism, Not Terrorism, For Embattled Caucasus

Analysis: Putin gambles by taking down Dagestan strongman

Dagestan Islamists Rebuffed Boston Bombing Suspect

From Toronto to Dagestan; Canadian jihadi draws parallels with Tsarnaev

Mystery Swirls Around Boston Bombing Suspect’s Trip To Daghestan

Why the FBI Didn’t Make Much of Russia’s Request to Probe Boston Bomber

Boston’s Jihadist Past

FBI did not catch Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s Russia trip because his name was misspelled

Pilgrim in Violent Land, Suspect Found Comfort in Dagestan

One of the Boston Marathon bombers made a trip to Dagestan and Chechnya last year. US officials are investigating whether or not he made contact with jihadist groups operating in the region. The investigation is ongoing.

Kyrgyz Former Neighbors Talk About Tsarnaevs, North Caucasus Ties

Interview: More About Tsarnaev Brothers And Their Ancestral Homeland
