Crisis Within Chechen Society

Abstract

In 1998, a myriad of armed units and splinter groups formed an opposition bloc and sought to impeach President Maskhadov. The confrontation with Maskhadov built up gradually out of minor scuffles between different units, but by the end of 1998 it had grown into a political struggle between the two ideologically distinct camps. During that spring and summer two camps began to emerge: those who supported the President and were nationalist and secular in outlook, and the opposition that was radical and sought power by removing the President. The conflict culminated in a six-day battle between these groups at Gudermes in July 1998 and a subsequent assassination attempt on Maskhadov.