KUALA LUMPUR – The Islamic State (Isis) group has claimed responsibility for the attack at a popular concert hall complex near Moscow in Russia on Friday.
CNN reported that assailants stormed the venue with guns and incendiary devices, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people and injuring over 145.
The terror group took responsibility for the attack in a short statement published by Isis-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram on Friday. It did not provide evidence to support the claim.
Video footage from Crocus City Hall showed the vast complex, which is home to both the music hall and a shopping centre, on fire with smoke billowing into the air.
State-run RIA Novosti reported the armed individuals “opened fire with automatic weapons” and “threw a grenade or an incendiary bomb, which started a fire.” They then “allegedly fled in a white Renault car”, the news agency said.
The fire had been brought largely under control more than six hours later. “There are still some pockets of fire, but the fire has been mostly eliminated,” Moscow governor Andrey Vorobyov said on Telegram.
The deadliest terror attack on Moscow in decades, Friday’s assault came less than a week after President Vladimir Putin won a stage-managed election by an overwhelming majority to secure another term in office, tightening his grip on the country he has ruled since the turn of the century.
With attention focused on the country’s war with neighbouring Ukraine, Putin had trumpeted a message of national security before Russians went to the polls.
It was reported that the carnage broke out before a concert by the band Picnic.
“Unidentified people in camouflage broke into Crocus City Hall and started shooting before the start of the concert.”
A SWAT team was called to the area, and more than 70 ambulance teams and doctors assisted the victims.
One hundred and forty-five people have been hospitalised, and sixty people are in “serious condition”.
According to the Kremlin, Putin was informed about the attack and is being kept updated on measures on the ground.
Meanwhile, the United States said that Isis bore sole responsibility for the deadly attack near Moscow on Friday, and there was no Ukrainian involvement, as reported by Reuters.
The US government early this month shared information with Russia about a planned attack in Moscow and also issued a public advisory to Americans in Russia on March 7.
“Isis bears sole responsibility for this attack. There was no Ukrainian involvement whatsoever,” US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said on Saturday. – March 24, 2024