
Islamic State's Afghan Branch Claims Responsibility for Deadly Shooting Near Moscow
ISIS-K, an Afghan branch of Islamic State, claimed responsibility for attacking a concert near Moscow, targeting Russia due to grievances.

Ever since emerging in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014, Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has gained notoriety for its extreme brutality, becoming one of the most active regional affiliates of the Islamic State militant group. Named after an old term for a region encompassing parts of Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, ISIS-K's membership has dwindled since its peak in 2018, largely due to heavy losses inflicted by the Taliban and U.S. forces.
History of Attacks
ISIS-K has a record of carrying out attacks both inside and outside Afghanistan, targeting locations such as mosques and international embassies. Notably, the group claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing at the Russian embassy in Kabul in September 2022, signaling a direct confrontation with Russia.
Earlier, in 2021, ISIS-K perpetrated an attack on Kabul's international airport during the tumultuous U.S. evacuation, resulting in casualties among both U.S. troops and civilians. Moreover, the U.S. intercepted communications confirming the group's involvement in twin bombings in Iran, which claimed the lives of nearly 100 individuals.
Rationales for Targeting Russia
Experts have highlighted ISIS-K's fixation on Russia in recent years, particularly evident in the group's propaganda that frequently criticizes Russian President Vladimir Putin. Colin Clarke of Soufan Center, a Washington-based research group, noted that ISIS-K's focus on Russia has persisted for the past two years.
Michael Kugelman of the Washington-based Wilson Center pointed out that ISIS-K perceives Russia as complicit in activities that oppress Muslims, providing a motive for their antagonism. Additionally, the group includes members from Central Asian origins with their own grievances against Moscow, further contributing to the rationale for targeting Russia.
Confirmation of ISIS-K's Responsibility for Moscow Concert Attack
U.S. intelligence has confirmed ISIS-K's claim of responsibility for a deadly shooting attack at a concert near Moscow on a recent Friday. This attack represents a dramatic escalation in ISIS-K's confrontation with Russia and underscores the group's intent to target Russian interests.
These developments come in the wake of warnings from the top U.S. general in the Middle East, who stated that ISIS-K could potentially launch attacks on U.S. and Western interests outside of Afghanistan with minimal warning in the near future.
As the international community assesses the implications of these recent events, the ongoing threat posed by ISIS-K to global security remains a significant concern.
Share news