21.   Rebels seized the village a week ago, and Russian warplanes, tanks and howitzers have been firing on it ever since.

22.   Russian troops continued fighting the rebels in the rugged Botlikh region, where the militants seized several villages on Saturday.

23.   Russian forces appeared to be gaining ground Tuesday, the fourth day of fighting with rebels who seized several villages Saturday in the Caucasus Mountains region of Dagestan.

24.   Russian forces appeared to be making headway Tuesday, the fourth day of clashes with rebels who seized several villages in the Caucasus Mountains region of Dagestan.

25.   Russian troops entered Chechnya after Chechnya-based militants seized villages in Dagestan in August.

26.   Russian troops entered Chechnya in September after Chechnya-based Islamic militants seized several villages in Dagestan.

27.   Russian troops have been trying to dislodge the rebels in Dagestan since they seized several villages in Dagestan last Saturday.

28.   Russian troops have been trying to dislodge the rebels since they seized several villages in Dagestan last Saturday.

29.   Russian troops re-entered the rebellious republic in September after Chechnya-based militants seized several villages in the neighboring Russian region of Dagestan.

30.   Saleh has been traveling to Arab countries seeking support for Sudan since mid-January when the rebels began seizing villages along the borders with Ethiopia and Eritrea.