Rise of ISIS-K: From Afghanistan to Russia, Understanding the Group’s Global Impact, Delve into Their History and Motives

What is ISIS-K: Why did the terrorist organization ISIS attack Russia? Several gunmen opened fire on a crowd at a concert venue in Moscow on Friday, killing 70 people and injuring more than 150. The number of attacks by ISIS on Russia has increased dramatically in recent times. According to a Reuters report, a US official told Reuters that the US has intelligence confirming the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack on the Moscow concert. Here is the Afghan branch of the Islamic State, known as ISIS-K. The US report gives information about their objectives of attacking Russia.

What is ISIS-K?

Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), named after an old term for the region that includes parts of Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, emerged in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014, quickly drawing global attention for its brutality. One of the Islamic State terrorist group
‘s most active regional affiliates, ISIS-K has seen its membership decline since peaking around 2018. It has been heavily decimated by the Taliban and US forces. The US has said its ability to develop intelligence against extremist groups like ISIS-K in Afghanistan has diminished since the withdrawal of US troops from the country in 2021.

Which attacks did ISIS-K carry out? 

ISIS-K has a history of attacks, including on mosques, inside and outside Afghanistan. Earlier this year, US intercepted communications confirmed that the group had carried out twin bombings in Iran, killing nearly 100 people. In September 2022, ISIS-K militants claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at the Russian embassy in Kabul. The group was also responsible for the
attack on Kabul’s international airport in 2021, which killed 13 US soldiers and several civilians during the evacuation of Americans from the country. Earlier this month, the top US general in the Middle East said ISIS-K could attack American and Western interests outside Afghanistan “in as little as six months and without warning.”

Why are these terrorists attacking Russia?

The number of attacks by ISIS on Russia has increased dramatically in recent times. Experts have said that the ISIS group has strongly opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years. In fact, Putin changed the direction of the Syrian civil war by intervening in 2015 and supporting President Bashar al-Assad against the opposition and the Islamic State. Colin Clark of the Washington-based research 
group Soufan Center says, “Russia has been the target of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) for the last two years. He often criticizes Putin in his campaign. 

ISIS-K sees Russia as a partner in activities that routinely oppress Muslims, said Michael Kugelman of the Washington-based Wilson Center. He said the group also includes many Central Asian militants who have their own grievances against Moscow.

Must Read: