IS Horasan Claiming Responsibility for Terror, Reason Behind Grudge Against 'Putin'

Russia's Prolonged Involvement in Afghan, Syrian, and Chechen Civil Wars
Continued Joint IS Suppression with Syrian Government Forces
Khorasan, Engaged in Fierce Battles with Taliban, Seeks Recognition

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), the Afghan branch of the international terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Moscow, Russia. Western intelligence agencies, including those of the United States, had reportedly warned Russia in advance about the possibility of a Khorasan attack, revealing that the group had been preparing for this attack over an extended period.

The reason Russia was targeted is analyzed to be due to its ongoing conflicts with IS in key operational areas such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Chechnya. As analyses suggest that IS aims to gain international recognition through this Russian attack, tensions are rising among Western countries concerned about the possibility of further terrorist incidents.

Khorasan Claims Responsibility for Terror Attack... Russia Blames 'Ukraine'

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press on the 24th (local time), Khorasan claimed responsibility for the Moscow attack immediately after it occurred. Through the social networking service Telegram, Khorasan stated, "Our fighters killed hundreds, caused significant destruction at the site, and safely withdrew to base," releasing footage from the attack.

Earlier, on the 22nd, terrorists stormed the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, northwest Moscow, indiscriminately firing automatic rifles and setting fire to the building by pouring flammable liquid. The death toll from the attack has reached 137 so far.

The Investigative Committee under the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced by the afternoon of the 24th that 137 deaths had been confirmed and over 180 people were injured. A large cache of weapons and ammunition hidden by the terrorists was also discovered at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, northwest Moscow, where the attack took place.

So far, 11 suspects related to the attack have been arrested. Despite Khorasan claiming responsibility, Russian authorities maintain that Ukraine is behind the attack. President Vladimir Putin, in a national address shortly after the incident, said, "They fled in the direction of Ukraine, and initial information suggests there was a gateway across the border on the Ukrainian side," adding, "We will find and punish everyone behind this."

Putin Regime's Frequent Clashes with IS

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Unlike Russia, which blames Ukraine, Western countries including the United States and the international community believe that Khorasan, which claimed responsibility, is indeed behind the attack. This is because Russia has been deeply involved in Middle Eastern conflicts and has clashed multiple times with both Khorasan and the IS headquarters.

According to The New York Times (NYT), Khorasan was established in 2014 as IS's Afghan branch and has been engaged in combat with the Taliban, which controls Afghanistan. The Taliban, weakened by prolonged international sanctions and economic hardship, saw some relief in food and resource shortages after reestablishing diplomatic relations with Russia in 2022, which led to a severe deterioration in relations between IS and Russia.

Russia has been deeply involved in the civil wars not only in Afghanistan but also in Syria, where the conflict has lasted over a decade, and in Chechnya, supporting regimes fighting Islamic militant groups. Frequent clashes between Russia and IS in these operational areas have fueled growing hostility toward Russia.

Khorasan is estimated to have been planning a large-scale terrorist attack within Russia for at least two years. Colin Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the U.S. security consulting firm Soufan Group, told the NYT, "Khorasan has been obsessed with Russia for the past two years and has frequently criticized President Putin through propaganda media," emphasizing, "They accuse the Kremlin of staining its hands with Muslim blood by frequently intervening in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Syria, and other Middle Eastern regions."

Khorasan's Desire for High Recognition... International Terror Expansion Alert

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Some experts suggest that IS is seeking to expand its influence by gaining international recognition within the Islamic world through terrorism, raising concerns about the possibility of a series of further attacks. Shortly after the Moscow attack, U.S. Central Command General Michael Kurilla testified before the U.S. House Committee, stating, "Khorasan has the capability and intent to attack the United States and Western countries within at least six months," but added, "There are currently no warning signs."

In particular, Khorasan has been increasing its recognition and recruitment efforts by carrying out attacks such as the 2021 Kabul International Airport attack and the January attack on the Qasem Soleimani memorial ceremony in Kerman, Iran. The NYT analyzed, "Khorasan, primarily active in Afghanistan, engaged in combat with U.S. forces until their withdrawal in 2021, and after the Taliban took power, fought against Taliban forces, reducing its strength to about 1,500 to 2,000 members, roughly half of its previous size," adding, "With the Taliban continuously obstructing their recruitment efforts, Khorasan is expected to focus more on raising its profile through terrorism and destabilizing the Taliban."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.