chechenskaya respublika (chechnya)

The interior minister of North Ossetia, Kazbek Dzantiyev, submitted his resignation Sunday, saying he could not remain in office after the attack, Interfax and Itar-Tass reported.

"After what happened in Beslan, I don't have the right to occupy this post as an officer and as a man," the Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying.

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According to MSNBC, in the last 2 weeks, 480 people have died in apparent connection with the Chechnyan crisis. In Beslan, CNN says that 338 people, including 156 children, were killed. 700 were injured and 447 are in hospitals - half of these children - while 58 are in "very serious condition." 191 people are missing. Some of the former hostages are beginning to speak out about their experience. NBC reports that this is the "second largest terrorist attack after Sept. 11".

Here are some resources for those who want to get a better understanding of the Chechnyan Crisis:

Russia and Chechnya: A long, bloody history - Yesterday Michael Davidson of CTV gave us some historical background to the Chechnyan conflict. Thanks to Robert Wilde of about.com for the reference.

Brief History of Chechnya on Infoplease

Timeline of Key Events in Chechnya from 1830 to 2004 from Infoplease.

About.com's Site on Chechnya with Maps and Background Info