Militants took over a school complex in Beslan, in the southern Russian republic of North Ossetia, on Sept. 1. After demanding the release of several compatriots held by Russian security, the militants threatened to kill 50 children for every one of their group killed by Russian forces. The school is surrounded by a mix of Russian military and local security forces. Some female militants were reported to be wearing bomb belts. Various sources place the total militant force at between 17 and 30 members. The Ossetians are one of the few Christian peoples in the Caucasus and have been staunch Russian allies as long as the Russians have been active in the region. Russia projects power from military facilities in North Ossetia — particularly the city of Mozdok, which is headquarters for Russian operations throughout the region, including Chechnya.