“ISIS-Khorasan” and Their Recent Terrorist Attack in Moscow

Security and Military News, 23-03-2024

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack that took place in Moscow, resulting in the deaths of over 62 individuals and injuring 146 in a shooting followed by a massive fire on Friday evening at a music concert hall in the suburbs of the Russian capital.

An American official told Reuters, “The United States has intelligence information confirming ISIS-Khorasan’s claim of responsibility for the shooting attack that resulted in fatalities at a music concert near Moscow yesterday, Friday.”

Below are details about the Afghan branch of the organization known as “ISIS-Khorasan” and their motives for attacking Russia:

What is “ISIS-Khorasan”?

“ISIS-Khorasan” emerged in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014 and quickly gained notoriety for its extreme brutality, deriving its name from an ancient term referring to a region encompassing parts of Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.

The organization’s membership, one of the most active regional affiliates of ISIS, has dwindled since reaching its peak in around 2018, largely due to significant losses inflicted by the Taliban and U.S. forces.

The United States has stated that its ability to increase intelligence activities against extremist groups in Afghanistan, such as “ISIS-Khorasan,” has decreased since the withdrawal of American forces from the country in 2021.

What are the major attacks carried out by the organization?

“ISIS-Khorasan” has a history of attacks, including those targeting mosques inside and outside of Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, the United States intercepted communications confirming that the organization carried out bombings in Iran resulting in the deaths of nearly 100 people.

In September 2022, armed members of the organization claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that resulted in fatalities at the Russian embassy in Kabul.

The organization was also responsible for an attack on Kabul International Airport in 2021, resulting in the deaths of 13 American soldiers and dozens of civilians during the chaotic American evacuation from Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, the top U.S. general in the Middle East stated that “ISIS-Khorasan” could attack U.S. and Western interests outside Afghanistan “in less than six months and without prior warning.”

Why are they targeting Russia?

While the attack carried out by “ISIS-Khorasan” in Russia yesterday represents a significant escalation, experts have stated that the organization has opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years.

Colin Clarke of the Soufan Center, a Washington-based research group, stated, “ISIS-Khorasan has focused its attention on Russia over the past two years, with its propaganda repeatedly criticizing Putin.”

Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center, based in Washington, added that “ISIS-Khorasan” “believes that Russia is complicit in constantly persecuting Muslims.”

He also noted that the organization includes among its members a number of militants from Central Asia who have their own grievances against Moscow.