Moscow, Russia, saw a tragic and deadly terror attack unfold on Friday, with gunmen storming a concert hall and resulting in the deaths of at least 133 people while injuring over 100 individuals. Following the attack, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility through a statement disseminated on Telegram by their affiliated news agency Amaq.
ISIS-K, a branch of the transnational terror group Islamic State, has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond since 2015. The group’s activities extend to countries like Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the United States, and Europe, showcasing the global reach of their terror operations.
Formed in 2014 by defected Taliban and al-Qaeda members in Pakistan and Afghanistan, ISIS-K adopts a violent interpretation of jihadism and aims to establish a transnational caliphate governed by its radical Islamic principles. The group’s connections with other terror organizations like al-Qaeda and the Taliban remain fluid, with fighters often switching allegiances.
Despite efforts by the US and former government forces to target ISIS-K in Afghanistan, a security vacuum created by the US withdrawal allowed the group to regroup, establish training camps, and expand its global networks. The Taliban, now in power, has faced challenges in containing ISIS-K’s activities, leading to frequent and deadly attacks on ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan.
Recent activities by ISIS-K include a bombing in Iran that killed 95 people, as well as thwarted attacks in Russia and Europe. German authorities have arrested ISIS-K supporters planning attacks, while ISIS-K leaders have threatened to strike countries like Sweden, Netherlands, and Denmark in response to Quran burnings.
The United Nations has expressed concerns about groups like ISIS-K acquiring advanced NATO weapons left behind in Afghanistan. The ongoing threat posed by ISIS-K highlights the complex challenges faced by security forces in combatting terrorism on a global scale.