Changes in leadership have become characteristic for the SPIR.  After Barayev's death in 2001, his nephew, Movsar Suleimanov, took control.  Suleimanov, who changed his last name to Barayev in emulation of his uncle, played a role in the Dubrovka Theater seizure and was subsequently killed during its raid.  Following his death, Khamzat Tazabayev took control of the organization. He commanded several successful raids on Russian security forces stationed in Chechnya, but was eventually killed on February 23, 2004, according to a pro-Chechen resistance website. The subsequent two years were defined by short-lived leadership, as the next three commanders were killed in action before they could initiate any operation(s) of consequence.<P> <br /><br />A new commander of the SPIR was recently appointed, according to sources inside the SPIR headquarters. The charismatic Amir Kazbek now heads the organization, and despite having seven different commanders in as many years, the SPIR shows no signs of abating its terror campaign to drive Russian forces from Chechen territory. The group will undoubtedly continue attacks against Russian security services in the near term to ultimately achieve a liberated Chechnya in the long term. The SPIR's two most recent attacks came on July 10, 2006, when a small group of fighters attacked a Russian Interior Ministry post in the Chechen capitol, burning all police files and exacting casualties on Russian guards; and the second took place August 2, 2006, when a group of SPIR rebels attacked and killed five Chechen police, who they deemed Russian sympathizers. No SPIR casualties were reported in either incident.<P><br /><br /> Additionally, the SPIR has been able to mobilize support from Ingushetia, Ossetia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan to help in the fight against Russia, further destabilizing the Caucasus and straining Moscow's resources. The Kremlin continues to regard the SPIR as a considerable threat to the region.  Under the leadership of Kazbek, SPIR operatives will continue to target Russian forces as well as Chechens who collaborate with Russia.<br />  <br />