GROZNY. Jan 18 (Interfax-AVN) - Federal and local army and law enforcement agencies in Chechnya believe the foundation for rebel operations in the republic has been undermined. Many rebel leaders and mercenaries are trying to flee.
The unified federal headquarters in the North Caucasus told Interfax on Friday that a number of successful operations of the force at the end of last year and the beginning of 2002 "destroyed a big part of rebel bases in the mountains and disrupted the command system of rebel formations."
The headquarters believe rebels badly lack ammunition, food and money. For this reason part of them are leaving their groups and trying to mix with the civilian population.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) division for Chechnya reported that a significant part of foreign mercenaries were destroyed in special operations in 2001. Some of them have left Chechnya realizing the hopelessness of confrontation with the federal authorities.
According to the division, the number of mercenaries dropped by a half last year. An analysis of operational reports indicates that some 250 mercenaries may still remain in Chechnya.
On the basis of intercepted radio transmission and interrogations of captured rebels the Federal Security Service concludes that foreign financial support for the rebels has dwindled, especially after the September 11 events in the United States and the campaign against terrorism declared by the international community.