Islamic State claims deadly attack near Moscow; US had warned Russia
The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack on Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. However, there is no way to confirm this information. An American official, in a conversation with CBS News, stated that the USA has no reason "to doubt the claims of ISIS".
Armed assailants attacked the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Krasnogorsk, close to Moscow, on Friday. Numerous victims and injuries are reported, children included.
The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement published on social media. The group stated that it targeted a large gathering of Christians in Krasnogorsk, on the outskirts of the Russian capital, killing and injuring hundreds. The accuracy of this statement cannot be confirmed at this time.
"We have no reason to doubt"
An American official, speaking to CBS News, stated that the United States has intelligence confirming the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the attack and that "they have no reason to doubt these claims".
Americans relayed a warning to Russia
This official also confirmed that the United States had informed Russia of intelligence about the potential attack, in line with the intelligence community's standards for issuing warnings about such events.
"The Washington Post", in relation to the attack on Crocus City Hall, mentioned recent intelligence reports that the terrorist group ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State active in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, began operations in Russia.
On March 7, the USA embassy in Moscow announced it "is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings" in the Russian capital, including concerts. It warned US citizens to stay away from these events.
This warning, as mentioned by American officials who preferred to remain anonymous, was partly based on intelligence regarding possible ISIS-K activities in Russia.
Source: CBS News, washingtonpost.com
