| Mozdok truck bombing | |
|---|---|
  Mozdok Mozdok (Russia) | |
| Location | Mozdok, Mozdoksky District, Russia |
| Date | 1 August 2003 around 19:00 (MSK) |
| Target | Military personnel, hospital staff |
Attack type | Suicide bombing |
| Weapons | Truck bombs |
| Deaths | 52 - 60[1] |
| Injured | 82 |
| Perpetrators | Abu Omar al-Kuwaiti (Al-Qaeda), Magomed Dadaev (thesuicide bomber), Magomed Kodzoev |
| Motive | Islamic extremism,[2]Chechen independence[3] |
TheMozdok truck bombing occurred on 1 August 2003, whenChechen militants detonated atruck bomb at the military hospital inMozdok.
Mozdok contains one of Russia's most important military bases in theCaucasus. It has been used since theFirst Chechen War.[4]
Two different terrorist attacks were planned in Mozdok. However, the first attack, which was to be carried out by Zarema Muzhikhoeva, failed due to her falling ill and her car breaking down. She later attempted asuicide attack at a restaurant in theTverskoy ofMoscow, but the bomb failed to detonate, killing no one except aFSB bomb disposal expert. The Mozdok bombing was the second attack, which succeeded.[2]
Russian authorities claimed thatAbu Zaid Al-Kuwaiti was responsible for organizing the terrorist attack, including instructing the suicide bomber, Magomed Dadaev, with his role in theBeslan school attack being described in the same way. However, it was later found out that his role in the Beslan attack was greatly exaggerated.[5][6]
Thesuicide bomber was Magomed Dadaev.[7]
The blast occurred at about 19:00 MSK on 1 August 2003 when aKamAZ truck loaded with 10 tons ofammonium nitrate, roughly equivalent to one and a half tons ofTNT, crashed into the hospital building at maximum speed, which destroyed it.[8] Additionally, several nearby buildings were damaged, including a cardboard factory that had its wall collapsed and a tent camp that was flattened. The attack was the eighth in Russia over a span of three months at the time of the incident.[3]
Vladimir Putin, thepresident of Russia, was immediately informed of the attack as it happened. Upon his request, a plane with rescuers and emergency equipment was sent to the city.[9] Shortly after, he sent the at-the-timedefense ministerSergei Ivanov.[6]TheKremlin said that Putin had sent condolences to victims’ families. Putin reportedly demanded an explanation of how rebels managed to enter the area, leading to speculation that the guards may have beenbribed by the suicide bomber.[4]
The Russian government blamed the head of the Mozdosk hospital garrison and fired him, leading to backlash from the hospital staff.[10]
“We have to admit… criminals are continuing to exploit weak points in the defences of military bases.”
— Deputy General ProsecutorSergei Fridinsky [ru]
USA: In an officialpress release, the United Statespress secretary sent condolences to the families of the victims, labeled the attack asterrorism, and condemned it.[12]
Turkey: In an officialpress release, Turkey expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries, condemned the attack asterrorism, and reaffirmed its opposition to all forms of terrorism. Turkey also extended condolences to the victims' families and wished a quick recovery to the wounded.[13]As a result of the attack, the duty officer of theNorth OssetianMinistry of Emergency Situations stated that the building was completely destroyed by the explosion and a huge crater was formed in its place. Windows near the incident were broken. According to the correspondent of theVesti program, there were 115 people (military personnel and hospital staff) in the hospital at the time of the attack.[14]
The head of the Mozdok hospital garrison was arrested. This decision was met with criticism from the hospital staff.[10]
A new military hospital was shortly announced to be constructed.[15]The families of those killed in Mozdok received 100 thousand rubles each, around $5006USD at the time. Civilian victims received 50 thousand rubles each.[16]
A day of mourning was declared inNorth Ossetia,Russia. It was also announced that a marble slab with the names of the victims will be placed at the site of the attack.[17]
Several Russian newspapers, according toAl Jazeera, claimed that thesuicide bomber, Magomed Dadaev, bribed Russian guards to get past the multiple military checkpoints present in the area.[4]
The head of the Mozdok hospital garrison, who was also the commander of the429th Motorized Rifle Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Artur Arakelyan was initially relieved of his duties[18] and then detained on 2 August 2001 by theNorth Caucasus Military District of theRussian Armed Forces, due to having a 'negligent attitude' to the orders presented to him.[19] The doctors of the hospital publicly denounced this decision.[10][20]
On August 1, in Mozdok, a suicide bomber Magomed Dadaev, driving a KamAZ truck, got into the territory of the Mozdok Military Hospital and triggered an explosive device near the main medical building, killing 52 people and wounding 78.