ISIS branch calls on Muslims to kill 'Russian apostates', vows to attack Putin

In new video, the extremists group's so-called 'Caucasus Province' urges Muslims in Russia to join them, claiming that "the Caliphate is already here."

By MAAYAN GROISMAN
Updated: MARCH 6, 2016 12:15
ISIS branch calls on Muslims to kill 'Russian apostates'
Islamic State's so-called 'Caucasus Province' has called on Russian Muslims to "kill apostates in Russia," vowing to attack President Vladimir Putin and implement Sharia in the country.
In a video titled "Profitable Trading" released by the ISIS branch in the Northern Caucasus region of Russia on Saturday, the group's fighters urged Muslims in Russia to join them, claiming that "the Caliphate is already here."
It is the first video the extremist group in the Caucasus has released since it pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in June 2015.
The video begins with a news report which was broadcast on a Russian TV channel about a deadly car bombing that struck the town of Dzhemikent in Dagestan province on February 15, killing two Russian police officers. The video later presents the alleged Caucasus Province militant who carried out the attack. The video claims to show the perpetrator, Abu Abdurahman, speaking about the importance of "striking the apostates."
The group's deputy emir, Abu Yasser, is also seen in the recording calling on Muslims in Russia to emigrate to the 'province' and join it, and if they cannot do so – "target the apostates wherever they are, using a rope or a knife."
He further states: "Today we do not have a place where we can implement Sharia. Thanks to Allah, we have many brave brothers here with us and millions of Muslims in Russia. Let's get together my brothers, seize a territory and expand it."
"If someone does not find us, he shall start killing Russian apostates on his own. It is not difficult to find weapons in Russia."
"I would like to tell all the brothers in the Caucasus Province and in Russia that Allah has given us this iron missile, and we will use it against the Taghut (apostate) Putin and his friends, the dogs."
The video ends with an execution of a supposedly agent of the Russian intelligence, who is shot by a one of the province's fighters," he states. 
The Caucasus and the region of Dagestan specifically, has long been a hotbed of jihadi factions attempting to ignite a Muslim insurrection against Putin's rule. After the Russian military succeeded in killing the leader of the al-Qaida affiliated Islamic Caucasus Emirate last year, Russia now faces an Islamic State threat, amid growing Muslim unrest toward its military involvement in Syria.