Moscow, Russia – The recent deadly assault on a concert venue in Moscow has been attributed to ISIS-K, a group associated with the Islamic State organization. ISIS-K, formed in 2015 and known to be active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, has been linked to the horrific terror attack in the Russian capital, marking one of the worst incidents of its kind in years.
Since the fall of ISIS’ self-proclaimed caliphate across Iraq and Syria, the group has transformed into a widespread terror network with cells operating globally. From Africa to Southeast Asia, ISIS-K has established a presence, spreading its extremist ideology and carrying out violent attacks in pursuit of establishing a “pure Islamic state.”
Despite sharing common ideologies and tactics, the exact nature of the relationship between ISIS and ISIS-K remains murky. Experts acknowledge the connections between the groups but are unable to pinpoint the depth of their association, including the chain of command and control within the network.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) describes ISIS-K’s ideology as one that aims to create a global, transnational caliphate governed by Sharia law. This vision aligns with the overarching goal of ISIS, emphasizing their commitment to establishing a fundamentalist Islamic state through violent means.
Among the numerous targets of ISIS, Russia and its leadership, particularly President Vladimir Putin, have consistently been on the group’s radar. The longstanding animosity towards Russia is well-documented, with experts pointing to the country’s prominence as a prime target for ISIS extremists for quite some time.
In light of the recent attack in Moscow, the public’s attention has been drawn to the activities and motivations of ISIS-K, shedding light on the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups with global reach. As authorities continue to investigate the perpetrators behind the concert hall assault, concerns surrounding terrorism and radical ideologies remain at the forefront of international security discussions.