Troops Kill Arab Leader of Rebels in Chechnya

Russian troops killed four Chechen rebels linked to commander Shamil Basayev near Chechnya this weekend, including the leader of Arab fighters in the area, Saudi national Abu Walid. Walid’s brother confirmed his death.

Russian authorities say Walid served as the main financial and psychological link between Chechen rebels and Al Qaeda. The Kremlin said he was involved in a February bombing on Moscow’s subway.

There were few details on his death, but heavy gunfire in the Russian republic of Ingushetia started Saturday after troops sealed off a house where they said key rebels were holed up.