Doku Umarov says behind Moscow attacks

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov said in a video posted on Islamist rebel website www.kavkazcenter.com that he ordered the Moscow attacks in revenge for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's policies in the mainly-Muslim North Caucasus. It served also, he said, as a "greeting" to the Russian FSB security service.

The video was posted just hours after two suicide bombers killed at least 12 people in Russia's North Caucasus.

The suicide bombings, which have killed at least 50 people and injured another 100 in less than three days, have stirred fears of a major bombing campaign against Russian cities by Islamist insurgents.

Umarov, Russia's most wanted guerrilla who calls himself the "Emir of the Caucasus Emirate," said that he had ordered the twin suicide bombings in Moscow to "destroy infidels" and to avenge Putin's policies in the North Caucasus.

"You Russians only see the war on television and hear it on the radio, that is why you do not react to the atrocities which your bandit groups under Putin's command carry out in the Caucasus," said Umarov, dressed in combat gear.

"Both of these operations were carried out on my command and will not be the last," said the bearded 45-year-old, sat on the ground in what looked like a clearing in a wood.

"I promised you that the war will come to your streets, God willing, and you will feel it under your skin," Umarov said, ending the four-and-a-half minute long video with the words "Allahu Akhbar" (God is Greatest) and pointing his finger toward the camera, Reuters reported.