Law enforcement officials arrest individuals involved in large-scale fight on the boundary between Ingushetia and North Ossetia.
In the Caucasus region, tensions between Ingushetia and North Ossetia reached a boiling point once again, as a mass brawl occurred near the Chermen checkpoint, a federal crossing point dividing the two regions.
The conflict began with two domestic incidents: one involved an Ingush man assaulting an elderly Ossetian, and another involved four visiting Ingush men assaulting two local residents after a verbal altercation. These incidents escalated into a larger brawl, resulting in a paralysis of traffic on the Caucasus Highway and causing concern among authorities.
In the most severe of these clashes, two Ingush were injured as a result of a shootout. Following the incident, several people have been detained in relation to the mass brawl, and currently, Magomed Bekizhev is in investigative custody in connection with the conflict at the border. Criminal cases have been opened against the detainees on charges of intentional infliction of minor harm to health and hooliganism.
The North Ossetian Interior Ministry and the Ministry of National Policy claim that the situation was brought under control. However, the North Ossetian Head, Sergei Menyailo, recommended temporarily blocking entry points into the republic to prevent escalation of domestic disputes into inter-ethnic conflicts.
Menyailo described the mass conflict between Ingush and Ossetians in Chermen as the work of 'instigators' who 'drew in hotheads' from both republics. He further stated that the Chermen conflict was a "gift" for those who aim to destabilise the situation from within, referencing the role of misinformation on social media in escalating the conflict.
The Chermen checkpoint, located on the border of Ingushetia and North Ossetia, is a source of controversy in Ingushetia due to its association with the 1992 armed conflict between the two regions. Ingushetian authorities insist that the preservation of the Chermen checkpoint is a reminder of the tragic events of 1992 and limits the freedom of movement of citizens. In contrast, the North Ossetian side supports keeping the checkpoint to ensure security.
Activists in Ingushetia have held pickets demanding the removal of the Chermen checkpoint. In response, a community of readers is building a newsroom to respond to the challenges facing journalism in the region, with the hope of shedding light on the ongoing issues and fostering understanding between the two communities.
Unfortunately, the future of journalism in the Caucasus region is grim, with independent voices under threat. Similar incidents between Ossetians and Ingush have occurred previously, including a mass brawl in the North Ossetian town of Mozdok in 2015. In December 2021, a series of incidents took place in the Prigorodny District and the eastern part of Vladikavkaz, resulting in clashes between Ossetians and Ingush.
As the region grapples with these ongoing tensions, it is crucial to promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the communities to prevent further escalation of conflicts.
