Following a deadly attack by ISIS-K in Moscow, concerns rise over potential threats to other capitals worldwide, with implications on global security and the ongoing battle against terrorism.
ISIS-K, the regional branch of the Islamic State group, has been identified as a potential threat to capital cities around the world following a deadly attack in Moscow that resulted in 133 casualties at a rock concert. The perpetrators, 11 men from Tajikistan, executed the attack, signaling Russia’s military involvements in Syria and Afghanistan as possible motivations due to these countries’ combat operations against ISIS. This event has raised global concerns about the possibility of similar future attacks in other capitals.
Experts, including military analyst Murat Aslan, attribute the selection of Russia as a target to its foreign policy and military actions in regions where ISIS has been active. The attack has also led to heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with President Putin accusing Ukraine of having a role in facilitating the attackers, a claim that Kyiv denies. Amidst the threat, there’s an increased emphasis on the need for vigilance and reinforced security in capitals worldwide to prevent further attacks.
Parallelly, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have issued warnings about the sustained threat of the Islamic State group on an international scale. On the fifth anniversary of IS’s caliphate downfall, the SDF highlighted the critical situation concerning detained IS fighters and their families, urging for a global strategy to prevent the resurgence of IS through sleeper cells and affiliates across continents. Around 10,000 IS fighters are in SDF custody, including 2,000 foreigners, with their repatriation being a contentious issue. Furthermore, the SDF manages camps like al-Hol, housing approximately 45,000 family members of IS fighters, where radicalization remains a concern.
Amidst these developments, four Tajik nationals have been charged in Russia with terrorism in connection to the Moscow theatre massacre, casting a spotlight on Tajikistan’s economic hardships and religious tensions. The suspects, alleged to have been recruited by an IS branch in Afghanistan, reflect the broader challenges faced by citizens of one of the poorest former Soviet republics. Tajikistan, with a historical backdrop of civil war involving hard-line Islamists, continues to grapple with issues of terrorism and radicalization.
These incidents highlight the multifaceted threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates globally, underscoring the complexity of addressing terrorism, radicalization, and the socio-economic factors that contribute to these challenges.
