Sayfullakh Shishani

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

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

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

  1. ^ a b c 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.
  2. ^ a b 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.
  3. ^ a b Paraszczuk, Joanna (3 January 2014). "Syria: Chechen Emir Seyfullakh Urges Turks, "Don't Stay Silent Against Muslim Bloodshed"". EA WorldView. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ Vatchagaev, Mairbek (9 August 2013). "Influence of Chechen Leader of North Caucasian Fighters in Syria Grows". Jamestown Foundation. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Souleimanov, Emil (2 July 2014). "Split Among North Caucasian Fighters in Syria". Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  10. ^ Paraszczuk, Joanna (30 December 2013). "Syria: Video — Chechen Amir Seyfullakh Shishani & Jaish Khilafatul Islamia Join Jabhat al-Nusra". EA WorldView. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Paraszczuk, Joanna (10 February 2014). "Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra Leader Gives Eulogy To Chechen Fighter Sayfullakh Shishani". EA WorldView. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  15. ^ Paraszczuk, Joanna (26 February 2014). "Syria: New Leader Of Sayfullakh's Faction Urges Chechens To Fight In Syria". EA WorldView. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
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