In another sign of escalation, Chechen rebels have joined Ukraine to fight Russia in recent days reports Tracwatch, a weekly published by Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium or TRAC.
Tracwatch 19 October reported that between 10 October 2022 and 15 October 2022, Chechen Telegram channels announced that Abdul Hakim Shishani and Rustam Azhiev (Ajiev), along with a group of his militants, left Idlib, Syria and arrived in Ukraine for hijrah.
Tracwatch 19 October reported that rumors about his joining the Ukrainian Forces appeared in the middle of the summer soon after Akhmed Zakaev, a leader of the Chechen resistance who has been abroad for years, issued a statement announcing the creation of the “Chechen House in Poland”, which would provide legal protection for Chechens from political prosecution of Kadyrov’s regime. Zakaev also stated that the Forum of Free People would be conducted there, which the main objective would be the liberation of Chechnya. According to him, the fight against “Russian occupants” should be started in Chechnya because the Chechen people had sought independence for a long time.
The Tracwatch 19 October report states that AQC and IS Central have been very clear that the Ukraine-Russian War was not a just jihadist cause; and that hijrah (travel jihad) is strictly forbidden. The idea is that this is a war between white people and thus, "let the white people kill each other off before getting involved." As such, Abdul Hakim Shishani has faced harsh criticism from the overall general jihadist community and in response, the Ajnad al-Kavkaz leader released a video explaining the reasons behind his commitment to fight for Ukraine.
It remains unclear how HTS leader, Abu Mohammed Al-Joulani will react on the retreat of Abdul Hakim Shishani and his fighters from the Idlib’s military theater to the Ukraine’s says the Tracwatch 19 October repor.
On 15 October 2022, Ahmed Zakaev and other militant commanders from the Jihadist Hayy’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) sphere in Idlib, Syria met with Abdul Hakim Shishani in Ukraine. Ahmed Zakaev, who arrived in Ukraine early in 2022, promoted Abdul Hakim Shishani to the rank of Colonel according to TRAC sources.
Abdul Hakim purportedly received this promotion for his hard work, commitment, and military performance. After establishing a committee of the oppressed people from the post-Soviet region U.S.S.R., Ahmed Zakaev was then appointed the deputy of commander-in-chief of Ichkeria to improve and coordinate the Jihadist Chechen Forces. At the end of this meeting, Zakaev stated that he was going to fight for independent Ichreria and global community and the global community expressed readiness to accept Chechen statehood.