An attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall has been claimed by the Islamic State group, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 133 lives. The attack signifies one of the deadliest attacks in Russia in recent years.
Despite the US presenting evidence supporting the jihadists' claim, Moscow and Kyiv continued to blame each other on Saturday amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Here is the latest information we have regarding the shooting:
ISIS-K Claims Moscow Concert Hall Massacre
There are many unresolved issues regarding the Friday night occurrence, such as whether it was connected to a security advisory that the American Embassy in Moscow carried out two weeks prior and whether it represents an upsurge for the group in the West.
The four terrorists who opened fire at Crocus City Hall, where 7,000 concertgoers had gathered to observe the progressive rock band Picnic, completely stunned Moscow's security forces. The terrorist organization ISIS-K has taken responsibility for at least 137 deaths and over 100 injuries in several texts and videos.
Moscow Concert Massacre Suspects Arrested
The four suspects were captured and carried before a court a few hours later when it was found that they had been recorded on camera being blindfolded and transported into an intelligence facility.
Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, is a terrorist group that developed in eastern Afghanistan before the end of 2014 and rose to prominence due to its brutal violence. The group's name came from an antiquated term for the area that included portions of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
US Warns ISIS-K Urges to Widen Agenda
Even though its membership has decreased since 2018, ISIS-K remains one of the Islamic State's most active regional groups. The US military and the Taliban have not stopped targeting ISIS-K.
The US Congress was notified in March that ISIS-K was developing the capacity to carry out "external operations" in Europe and Asia, demonstrating the US nation's ongoing belief that the group poses a threat, according to The Independent.
ISIS-K's Twin Bombing in Iran
ISIS-K has carried out twin bombings in Iran that killed nearly 100 people who had gathered to mourn the anniversary of Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani's assassination by US forces earlier this year.
General Michael Kurilla of US Central Command says that in as little as six months, Moscow may target US and Western targets outside of Afghanistan with little to no warning.
Russia Previously Targeted by Terror Grup
ISIS-K, a central Asian branch of the Islamist terror group, has attacked Russia's security. The 2017 metro explosion in St. Petersburg was one of their earlier attacks. They saw Russia's promotion of "hatred" against Muslims as being on par with that of the US.
They also described how their 2015 action in Syria was caused by Russia's support of the Assad regime. The Wilson Center in Washington says ISIS-K "sees Russia as being complicit in activities that regularly oppress Muslims."
He went on to claim that the group includes some terrorists from Central Asia who have their own grievances against Moscow. Additionally, the gang detonated two explosives in Iran, killing about a hundred people.
ISIS-K Targets Nations Linked to Afghanistan
Additionally, actions such as the attack on Moscow are intended to boost ISIS-K's image within the wider Islamic State network with the intention of possibly obtaining further funding and support.
In general, the strategy is a part of the attempt to "internationalize" the agenda that ISIS-K has been pursuing since 2021 with higher intensity. Targeting nations with a presence in Afghanistan, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China, the group has intentionally broadened the reach of its activities beyond geographical confines.
The terrorist strike in Moscow, which after the January attack in Iran, indicates that ISIS-K is stepping up its efforts to take its ideological battle directly to the borders of sovereign nations, SFGATE reported.
