MAKHACHKALA, Russia, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Russian forces killed two suspected rebels late on Thursday in a shootout in the centre of the Dagestan's local capital, Makhachkala, the interior ministry said on Friday.

It was the second major shootout this week in the southern republic of Dagestan, which neighbours Chechnya. Two rebels were killed on Monday.

Two wars in Chechnya since 1994 have scarred the entire north Caucasus region and violence has spilt over into its neighbours Dagestan and Ingushetia.

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