in the eastern sector of Chechnya, while Vadalov and "a number" of Chechen field commanders who had earlier renounced their bayat (allegiance) instead renewed their loyalty to Umarov. Noticeably absent from the gathering was Gaziyev, and an appeal from Umarov to "mujaheds in the North Caucasus and Chechnya...to put behind [you] all the disagreements that existed between us and direct all your strength, all your will toward elevating the word of Allah and [against] our enemy the unbelievers," implied that some Chechen fighters, possibly including Gaziyev and the men he commands, still refuse to acknowledge Umarov's title of supreme commander. In naming Aslan Byutukaev (Emir Khamzat) commander of the western sector of Chechnya, Umarov also abolished the southwestern front previously run by Gaziyev until his dismissal in the fall of 2010, further evidence that Gaziyev is not presently a part of the reconciliation. On 23 April 2012, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty speculated that the most logical reason for Gazyiev's absence from the meeting was that his fighters staged 14 or 15 attacks in the uplands southwest of Grozny between mid-April and late-June 2011. Gazyiev gave an interview with the Chechen service of Radio Liberty in mid 2014, where he confirmed rumours that he had left Chechnya; however, he expressed a desire to return to Chechnya's mountains. In October 2016, Gaziyev was reportedly arrested in Turkey. References External links Chechenews: Амир Тархан Газиев 1965 births Living people People from Chechnya Caucasus Emirate members Chechen field commanders Chechen Islamists Chechen warlords Russian people of Chechen descent Individuals designated as terrorists by the United States government