It seems that Doku Umarov has changed his mind about retiring. According to media reports earlier this week, the Chechen rebel leader announced in a recent video that he was stepping down from his command position. He now says in a new video that the previous message was fabricated. Reuters reports:

Umarov was shown speaking in a video on the unofficial Islamist website www.kavkazcenter.com, which had reported on Sunday that he was stepping down for health reasons and would hand over leadership of the insurgency to Aslambek Vadalov.

“In connection with the situation shaping up in the Caucasus, I consider it impossible to step down as Emir of the Caucasus,” said the bearded Islamist leader, dressed in a black skullcap, camouflage and a bullet-proof vest.

“Inshallah (God willing), this statement cancels out my previous statement,” Umarov said as he pressed his palm on the barrel of a Kalashnikov rifle. He said he is healthy.