Why Islamic State is fixated with Russia

Islamic State (IS) has released a graphic video showing gunmen storming the Crocus concert hall near Moscow in an attack that killed at least 137 people. The footage corroborates the terrorist organisation’s claim of responsibility. The most likely culprit is the organisation’s offshoot based in Afghanistan. For years, IS-Khorasan Province (IS-K) – a branch of IS based in Afghanistan – has been fixated with Russia. It holds Moscow responsible for destroying its power base in Syria by backing president Assad, and accuses the Kremlin of having Muslim blood on its hands. President Putin is a regular target in its propaganda.

IS said it carried out the attack on Friday in order to ‘deal a strong blow to Russia’. But make no mistake: IS-K poses a danger to the West too, and intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned that the group may try and mount an attack elsewhere.