At least 60 people were detained and more than 20 sustained injuries during a violent incident at Makhachkala airport, the capital of Dagestan in Russia. Local authorities reported that a large crowd gathered this Sunday, targeting Israelis and Jews amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
Among the injured were nine police officers, with two requiring hospitalization. Officials from the North Caucasus federal district department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that more than 150 participants in the riots have been identified.
The disruption began after Telegram channels urged people to converge on the airport, resulting in hundreds of demonstrators occupying the terminal and the runway. Flights from Israel and other services linked to Israelis and Jews were affected as protesters attempted to influence arrivals and departures linked to the Israeli conflict and related tensions.
Russian media outlets, including Echo of Dagestan, reported chants of Allahu Akbar and anti-Semitic slogans from the crowd. Gunfire was heard during the unrest.
Video footage circulating on social networks showed some participants rushing onto the runway in attempts to board a plane bound for Tel Aviv.
Security forces subsequently cleared the area, though the riot continued for several hours before control was restored.
According to the Dagestan Ministry of Health, ten people were treated in hospitals for injuries related to the incident at the Makhachkala airport, with two in critical condition and ten others sustaining less severe injuries.
The Federal Air Transport Agency initially ordered a closure of the airport through November 6, but later modified the timing, stating the measure would be in effect only until the following day.
The Dagestan government established a 24-hour operations center and mobilized all relevant departments to respond to the emergency and to support affected travelers.
Dagestan Governor Sergei Melikov stated on his Telegram channel that the actions of those who gathered at the airport were a serious violation of the law. He added that all Dagestanis understand the pain of those harmed by the actions of extremists and politicians and pray for peace in Palestine, while emphasizing that what occurred at the airport is unacceptable and must be thoroughly evaluated by law enforcement authorities.
Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova commented that the incident’s clear objective appeared to be inciting ethnic hatred and potentially violating human rights. She warned that such acts threaten civil peace in the country and urged Dagestanis to resist provocations and comply with the law and official guidance during these difficult times.
As this event unfolds, observers in Canada and the United States are watching closely for any broader implications on regional stability, travel security in the North Caucasus, and how national authorities respond to incidents that inflame ethnic or religious tensions. The incident underscores the importance of clear law enforcement action, rapid crisis communication, and community resilience in the face of provocative demonstrations. Trust in public safety institutions remains a central concern for communities navigating a complicated security landscape in the region, and officials continue to stress the need for calm and lawful behavior among the public.