The U.S. embassy in Russia has issued a warning about imminent plans for an attack in Moscow by “extremists”, following a report from Russian security services about the thwarting of a planned shooting at a synagogue by a cell associated with the Afghan branch of the Islamic State.
The embassy, consistently urging U.S. citizens to leave Russia immediately, refrained from disclosing further details about the threat’s nature but advised people to steer clear of concerts and crowds and remain vigilant of their surroundings.
According to the embassy’s website, it’s monitoring reports indicating that extremists intend to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, prompting advice for U.S. citizens to avoid such events over the next 48 hours.
The embassy’s warning was issued hours after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) stated it had disrupted an attack on a synagogue in Moscow orchestrated by a cell linked to the militant Sunni Muslim group Islamic State.
The FSB disclosed that an Islamic State cell was operating in Russia’s Kaluga region as part of the Afghan arm of the group, known as ISIS-Khorasan, which aims to establish a caliphate across several countries in the region.
ISIS-Khorasan emerged in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014, gaining notoriety for its extreme brutality. The FSB reported that the cell was preparing to target synagogue congregants using firearms.
Upon confrontation, the militants resisted Russian special forces and were neutralized through return fire. The FSB added that firearms, ammunition, and materials for an improvised explosive device were discovered and confiscated.
According to the embassy’s website, it’s monitoring reports indicating that extremists intend to target large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, prompting advice for U.S. citizens to avoid such events over the next 48 hours.
The embassy’s warning was issued hours after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) stated it had disrupted an attack on a synagogue in Moscow orchestrated by a cell linked to the militant Sunni Muslim group Islamic State.
The FSB disclosed that an Islamic State cell was operating in Russia’s Kaluga region as part of the Afghan arm of the group, known as ISIS-Khorasan, which aims to establish a caliphate across several countries in the region.
ISIS-Khorasan emerged in eastern Afghanistan in late 2014, gaining notoriety for its extreme brutality. The FSB reported that the cell was preparing to target synagogue congregants using firearms.
Upon confrontation, the militants resisted Russian special forces and were neutralized through return fire. The FSB added that firearms, ammunition, and materials for an improvised explosive device were discovered and confiscated.
Source: Reuters
