Pro-Palestinian Protesters Expelled from Dagestan Airport by Russian Security Forces: Exclusive Update

<h1>Anti-Israel Protesters Storm Airport in Russia’s Muslim Region, Prompting Security Closure</h1>
<img src=”image.jpg” alt=”Aerial view of Makhachkala, Dagestan” />
<p>Oct 30 (Reuters) – In a daring act, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators stormed an airport in Makhachkala, the capital of Russia’s Muslim-majority Dagestan region on Sunday. The protest occurred just after an Israeli plane had landed, leading authorities to close the airport and remove the demonstrators.</p>
<p>Local authorities have reported that twenty individuals were injured during the confrontation before security forces were able to control the situation. Fortunately, all passengers on the Israeli plane were unharmed.</p>
<p>These disturbances are part of a series of anti-Israel incidents that have arisen in the North Caucasus region due to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza. In response, the Dagestani government has announced plans to reinforce security measures across the republic, which is home to approximately 3 million people.</p>
<p>The unrest in the region is particularly concerning, given its history as a former battleground for Russian security forces in their fight against Islamist insurgency. These recent events present yet another challenge for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently involved in the conflict in Ukraine and has had to contend with internal instability.</p>
<img src=”video1.jpg” alt=”Protesters breaking glass doors” />
<p>Video footage obtained by Reuters from Makhachkala airport captured the shocking scenes of young men, mostly protesters, forcefully entering the airport, brandishing Palestinian flags. Chaos ensued as glass doors were shattered and demonstrators ran through the terminal, shouting slogans such as “Allahu Akbar” or “God is Greatest”. Additionally, another group of protesters was observed attempting to overturn a patrol truck.</p>
<p>To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, the Russian Aviation Authority has temporarily closed the airport until comprehensive security checks have been conducted. At present, no arrests have been made, but Russia’s federal investigations agency has initiated a criminal inquiry into the incident.</p>
<img src=”video2.jpg” alt=”Protesters attempting to topple over a patrol truck” />
<p>Responding to the incident, Sergei Melikov, the head of Dagestan, condemned the actions as a flagrant violation of the law. While acknowledging the empathy Dagestanis feel towards the victims affected by the conflict, he emphasized the importance of upholding peaceful and lawful means of expressing support.</p>
<p>Leaders from neighboring regions in the northern Caucasus have appealed for calm in response to the events. Similar calls for restraint were made by Dagestan’s chief Muslim cleric.</p>
<p>Following the rise in violence against Israeli and Jewish targets, Israel has urged Russian authorities to take measures to protect Israelis and Jews residing within their jurisdictions. Incidents over the past few days include the arson of a Jewish center currently under construction in Nalchik, the capital of the nearby Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. Reports of small anti-Israeli gatherings in Dagestan and throughout the North Caucasus have also circulated on social media, although Reuters has not independently verified these claims.</p>
<p>Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attributed these events to Russia’s culture of hatred towards other nations, which he claims is perpetuated by state television, pundits, and authorities. At the time of writing, the Kremlin has not issued a statement regarding Zelenskiy’s allegations.</p>

<p>Reporting by Reuters. Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Additional writing by Ron Popeski; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Lisa Shumaker and Miral Fahmy</p>

<p>Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.</p>
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