A terrorist attack occurred in Russia on March 22nd. Four gunmen perpetrated the attack using an arsenal of weapons. The assault happened at a rock concert held at the Moscow Crocus City Hall. The terrorists hailed from Tajikistan. The terrorist attack in Russia claimed more than 100 lives.
What Happened in Moscow?
The deadly March 22nd attack has left Russia’s security tight-knit. The event took place right before a seemingly innocent rock concert performed by the band Picnic. Then four known gunmen erupted the event with chaos.
The terrorists used automatic weapons, knives, and accelerants in the attack. The concert hall initially was expecting around 6,000 concertgoers. During the attack, victims had ducked down, huddled together, and even broke the large windows in the venue to escape the barrage of indiscriminate bullets.
Furthermore, during the terrorist attack, a fire was started that caused the roof of the venue to partially cave in.
A SWAT team was dispatched to the Crocus City Hall, along with More than 70 doctors and ambulances. Moreover, 144 civilians were killed with more than 100 were injured, including children. However, none of the band members were injured as stated by their manager.
An individual at the horrifying event gave his testimony of the event in a Reuters interview. The unnamed man stated, “I was sitting in the hall upstairs where the balconies were. We heard gunshots. At first, we didn’t understand what had happened,”. The man then went on to say that “everything was set on fire,”.
The serving victims of the attack are to be given 1 million rubles in compensation. 3 million rubles equates to $10,840. Whereas, the family of the tragically deceased will be recompensed 3 million rubles, or $32,500.
Russia is also planning to compensate those with lost loved ones for burial expenses as well. Further, children with lost parents will receive monthly payments. The Russian Governor Andrey Vorobyov stated this.
Who backed the attack?
The perpetuation of the attack was claimed by the terrorist organization ISIS. ISIS is known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The group did this through the associated news organization Amaq News Agency. Moreover, the news agency had posted a photo of the four perpetrators. The image showed the four terrorists with balaclavas covering their faces.
Furthermore, there were also details of the attack provided. The post stated that three of the assailants used knives and guns while the fourth used an accelerant. Also, it was said by ISIS that there was extensive espionage done over the venue.
The Amaq news post also stated, “The attack comes within the normal context of the raging war between the Islamic State and countries fighting Islam”.The attack comes after Vladamir Putin’s win in Russia’s election. Putin had also boasted about the country’s national security a week prior.
In addition, the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Russia that claimed more than 100 lives wasn’t the first attempt by ISIS. Russia also previously stopped multiple ISIS-led attacks in March alone before the Crocus City Hall attack. This is according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti. Apart from this, there were also at least four incidents across Russia that local authorities reported that were said to have connections to ISIS, also according to RIA.
Intelligence Intel from other countries
Before the terrible attack in Moscow, the US had warned Russia. The warning came two weeks before the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack. The US embassy reported that it has been monitoring information of ISIS terrorist targeting gatherings in Moscow. Adrienne Watson, the spokesperson for the US National Security Council stated that this information was given to Russia due to the US’ “duty to warn” policy.
However, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin viewed the US giving a warning as “provocative”. Further stating the te act resembled blackmail and seemed to carry the intention to intimidate and destabilize Russia’s society.
Although America’s intelligence information was rebuffed, it wasn’t the only country to warn Russia. Iran had also warned Russia about the attack before it occurred. Contrary to the untrustworthy relationship between Russia and the US, Iran and Russia have a more unguarded relationship.
Iran had also shared intelligence information about a possible attack days before it happened. Iranian intelligence came about this information due to interrogation of terrorists that bombed their own country months prior.
The Iranian attack happened on January 3rd and also killed almost 100 people. There were 35 arrests made in connection to the attack. The arrests included a commander of the Afganastan-based branch of ISIS-Khorasan. ISIS also claimed responsibility for the Iran bombing. The bombing was the most devasting attack the country had faced since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
However, an anonymous source stated that the information given to Russia was relatively lacking in details.
After the attack
The four terrorists responsible for the attack were apprehended. According, to Russian officials they attempted to escape to Ukraine after the attack. The attackers were interrogated and brutalized while in Russian holding. When they appeared in court, they were visibly bruised and battered. One of the terrorists was also unconscious.
The Russian court named the four terrorists. They are; Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Mukhammadsobir Faizov. All four men were working in Russia under temporary work visas. Moreover, Russian media has been circulating videos of violent interrogation of the attackers. One video seems to show the use of electrocution. Another shows Rachabalizoda being held down while part of his ear is cut off and then stuffed in his mouth.
Three of the four men pled guilty to the terrorism charges. However, Faizov, who appeared to be unconscious could not plead for himself. Although, all four of the men are facing life in prison.
Furthermore, after the terrorist attack in Russia claimed more than 100 lives, civilians have been displaying xenophobia toward those of Central Asian heritage. There have been posts made to the social media site X formerly known as Twitter that show this. Some X users made posts stating they do not trust those hailing from Tajikistan.
Further, some had even claimed to refuse service from those of Central Asian background. This is a first for the country. Since thew influx of Tajikistan migrants, they’ve been useful to Russia for cheap labor. Xenophobia and racial tension seem to be heating up in the days after the terrorist attack.
Written By AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
CNN – Moscow concert hall attack suspects appear in court as Russia defends security services
CNN – What we know about the Moscow concert hall attack
Reuters – Exclusive: Iran alerted Russia to security threat before Moscow attack
CNN – Central Asian migrants face xenophobic backlash in Russia after Moscow terror attack
Featured Image Courtesy of Rob Lee’s Flickr – Creative Commons
Inset Image Courtesy of Троице-Сергиева Лавра’s Flickr – Creative Commons
