Óscar Ruiz
Migration expert and international analyst
The Russian authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the terrible terrorist attack that took place last Friday, 22 March, in a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow. Of the 11 arrested, four are believed to be directly responsible for the massacre. The death toll now stands at more than 130 and continues to rise, with many critically injured.
The attack has been claimed by Daesh or ISIS-K, which we discuss at length at the end of this article. This would be the same group that attacked the Russian embassy in Kabul killing 6 people in 2022.
It appears that the attack may have been planned and warned of by US intelligence at the beginning of March.Russian security services claim that the terrorists had methodically prepared the attack and were preparing to flee through Ukraine, accusing Kiev of facilitating the entry and exit of the jihadists. Ukraine, for its part, has denied any involvement and President Zelensky himself has warned that this was a Russian strategy to raise the level of the Russian-Ukrainian contest in order to mobilise more troops and materiel on the Ukrainian border.
Russian security services claim that the terrorists had methodically prepared the attack and were preparing to flee through Ukraine, accusing Kiev of facilitating the entry and exit of the jihadists. Ukraine, for its part, has denied any involvement and President Zelensky himself has warned that this was a Russian strategy to raise the level of the Russian-Ukrainian contest in order to mobilise more troops and materiel on the Ukrainian border.
The city of Moscow has a long and sad history of terrorist attacks since the war with Chechen separatists began, but in recent years the attention of Russian security services has pivoted to the war with Ukraine, so this attack seems to have taken the Kremlin authorities by surprise. Friday’s attack has already become the largest terrorist attack in Europe by a Daesh affiliate since they began their attacks on the old continent in 2015 (Paris and Brussels).
What is ISIS-K?
ISIS-K (Islamic State or Daesh), officially known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan province, is an offshoot of the militant group Islamic State (IS) that operates mainly in South Asia and Central Asia. The “Khorasan” in its name refers to a historical region that includes parts of what are now Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Emerging around 2015, ISIS-K sought to extend IS influence beyond the Middle East, taking advantage of the volatile security situation in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.
ISIS-K was formed by disgruntled members of the Taliban who believed the Taliban were too moderate and regional in their approach. They pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the IS leader, positioning themselves as part of a global jihad movement. The group’s ideology is based on a radical interpretation of Sunni Islam, similar to that of its parent organisation, advocating the establishment of a global caliphate through violent jihad. They are known for their extreme brutality and have targeted civilians, government installations and ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the aim of destabilising the region and establishing their control.
The group has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in the region, employing tactics such as suicide bombings, armed assaults and kidnappings. Its operations have been characterised by a willingness to inflict mass casualties, often targeting crowded locations to maximise impact. ISIS-K attacks have been directed not only at government and military targets, but also at civilians, including schools, hospitals and places of worship, reflecting its aim to sow terror and discord.
Despite facing significant military pressure from Afghan and US forces, as well as opposition from the Taliban, ISIS-K has maintained a resilient and, at times, expanding presence in the region. Their stronghold has been in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces, but they have also conducted operations in Kabul and other parts of the country, as well as in Pakistan. The chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 provided ISIS-K with an opportunity to bolster its ranks and extend its influence as the security situation in the country deteriorated.
In recent years, ISIS-K has taken advantage of the instability in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The power vacuum and subsequent struggles for control have allowed ISIS-K to recruit disenchanted fighters from other groups and expand its operations. The group has positioned itself as a staunch opponent of the Taliban, attacking Taliban forces and attempting to undermine their rule.
ISIS-K represents a major security challenge in Asia, particularly in Afghanistan, but now also in Europe. Its persistent ability to carry out high-profile attacks despite counter-terrorism efforts underlines the complex nature of this group and the dangerousness and deadliness of its actions, seeking terror and front-page headlines in the West.
Europe is once again on alert (if it ever was) against Daesh jihadist terrorism.
© This article was originally published in Escudo Digital
