// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho did Sayfullakh Shishani call to catch a mouse? A purr-fect sniper.
Ruslan Machalikashvili (? – February 2014), commonly known by his nom de guerre Sayfullakh Shishani, was one of the Chechen mujahideen in Syria from 2012 until his death in February 2014.
Life
[edit]Shishani was born Ruslan Machalikashvili and took up the nom de guerre Sayfullakh Shishani. He lived in Turkey, taking part in demonstrations in Istanbul[1] and was part of the Chechen diaspora there.[2] He was fluent in Turkish.[3] Unlike other Chechen fighters, he had no previous combat experience before arriving in Syria in 2012.[2] However, after his death, a confidant claimed that he had fought both in Chechnya[4] and Afghanistan.[5] Shishani met Abu Omar al-Shishani sometime after arriving in Syria, where they were initially close and worked together in Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (JMWA).[1]
He was expelled from JMWA in August 2013[3] by al-Shishani,[6] reportedly over whether the group should remain independent or pledge allegiance to ISIS, with Shishani favoring independence.[7]
He initially formed a group named "Mujahideen Kavkaz fi Sham" in September, though the following month,[8] he announced that it would be known as Jaish Khilafah al-Islamiyya.[9] It was briefly independent until the group pledged allegiance to the Al-Nusra Front in December 2013.[10] His fighters were trained by Muslim Shishani.[11]
Death
[edit]Shishani was killed in Aleppo Governorate in February 2014,[12] during a raid on Aleppo Central Prison, which he viewed as a condition of swearing Bay'ah to join Al-Nusra Front.[13] He may have died from a shrapnel wound.[1]
He was eulogized by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of the Al-Nusra Front.[14]
Shishani was succeeded by Mohammed Khorasani.[15]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Paraszczuk, Joanna (20 February 2014). "Syria: From Ruslan The Family Man To Sayfullakh the Shahid – Chechen Jihadist's Story In Pictures". EA WorldView. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- 1 2 Paraszczuk, Joanna (22 February 2014). "Syria: A Brief Guide To Chechen & North Caucasian Factions (UPDATED WITH INFOGRAPHIC)". EA WorldView. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- 1 2 Paraszczuk, Joanna (3 January 2014). "Syria: Chechen Emir Seyfullakh Urges Turks, "Don't Stay Silent Against Muslim Bloodshed"". EA WorldView. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ↑ Moore, Cerwyn (27 May 2015). "Foreign Bodies: Transnational Activism, the Insurgency in the North Caucasus and "Beyond"" (PDF). Terrorism and Political Violence. 27 (3): 395–415. doi:10.1080/09546553.2015.1032035. ISSN 0954-6553. S2CID 56451099.
- ↑ "Sayfullah Shishani "Fought In Chechnya, Afghanistan"". From Chechnya To Syria. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
- ↑ Vatchagaev, Mairbek (9 August 2013). "Influence of Chechen Leader of North Caucasian Fighters in Syria Grows". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Paraszczuk, Joanna (23 November 2013). "Syria Spotlight: Insurgent Split — The Dispute Between Abu Umar al-Shishani & His Deputy, Seyfullakh the Chechen". EA WorldView. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Razafimbahiny, Irina (6 December 2013). "An In-Depth Look At Chechen Fighters in Syria – Part I: Sayfullah Al-Shishani and His Circle". MEMRI. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Souleimanov, Emil (2 July 2014). "Split Among North Caucasian Fighters in Syria". Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Paraszczuk, Joanna (30 December 2013). "Syria: Video — Chechen Amir Seyfullakh Shishani & Jaish Khilafatul Islamia Join Jabhat al-Nusra". EA WorldView. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ "Muslim Abu Walid Shishani Participating In Latakia Offensive". From Chechnya To Syria. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ↑ Roggio, Bill (22 March 2014). "Chechen commander for Al Nusrah Front reported killed in fighting against Syrian forces". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Paraszczuk, Joanna (15 February 2014). "Syria Video: The Death of Chechen Jihadi Sayfullakh in Attack On Aleppo Central Prison". EA WorldView. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ↑ Paraszczuk, Joanna (10 February 2014). "Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra Leader Gives Eulogy To Chechen Fighter Sayfullakh Shishani". EA WorldView. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ↑ Paraszczuk, Joanna (26 February 2014). "Syria: New Leader Of Sayfullakh's Faction Urges Chechens To Fight In Syria". EA WorldView. Retrieved 23 January 2025.