#explosion outside kabul airport

[mariacallous]

The mass shooting and fire at the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow on March 22 was the deadliest terrorist attack Russia has seen since the 2004 Beslan school siege. The gunmen’s actions claimed at least 137 lives and injured 180 others. The four suspects currently in custody are citizens of Tajikistan. But Russian authorities are doing their best to connect the attack to Ukraine. Sources in Western intelligence, meanwhile, say it was the work of the Islamic State-Khorasan, a branch of the Islamic State also known as ISIS-K. Experts note that ISIS-K has declared Russia among its main enemies (along with the U.S. and China). Meduza breaks down what you need to know about ISIS-K and why the group has Russia in its sights.

What is ISIS-K?

ISIS-K, or the Islamic State-Khorasan, is a branch of the Islamic State that operates primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Formally, the organization governs an ISIS province (wilayah, in Arabic) and reports to the ISIS caliph. Currently, this position is held by Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, whose four predecessors were killed in U.S. operations.

According to ISIS ideology, its caliphate, or state, aims to span the entire globe. The organization has divided the world into provinces, some of which are headed by local Islamist movements that operated before ISIS came into existence (for instance, ones connected to Al-Qaeda). In fact, ISIS itself emerged when the Al-Qaeda branch in Iraq severed ties with the global Al-Qaeda leadership.

Similarly, the Afghan-Pakistani branch of the Islamic State, ISIS-K, emerged in 2015 as a local movement. Initially, the group was composed of several thousand opponents of Afghanistan’s pro-American government, mostly Pashtuns, who were disillusioned with the Taliban. ISIS-K immediately started engaging in armed conflicts with the U.S. army, the Afghan government, and, even more brutally, with the Taliban.

The Taliban’s ideology fundamentally differs from that of ISIS. The Taliban aim to establish a national Islamic State in Afghanistan, while ISIS supporters advocate for world domination and the defeat of all “infidels.” Islamic nationalism won out in Afghanistan (and neighboring Pakistan), and by 2018, the Taliban (with the unofficial help of U.S. air support) had virtually destroyed ISIS-K’s organized resistance in the eastern provinces. U.S. forces killed several of the group’s leaders and, according to experts, the organization’s numbers were severely depleted, going from several thousand to a few hundred people.

Sanaullah Ghafari, who took over ISIS-K’s leadership, shifted the group’s strategy from direct armed confrontations to increasingly ruthless acts of terrorism against the Taliban, religious minorities, and Americans. During the U.S. troop withdrawal from Kabul in August 2021, he allegedly orchestrated a suicide bombing at the airport gate through which refugees fleeing Taliban rule were trying to enter. The attack killed 182 people, including 13 U.S. servicemen.

ISIS-K later expanded its list of enemies to include Russia, among others. On September 5, 2022, an explosion near the Russian embassy in Kabul killed five people, including two embassy staff. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack. In January 2024, more than 90 people were killed in twin explosions in Kerman in Iran. U.S. intelligence confirmed ISIS-K orchestrated the attacks. However, Taliban agents allegedly killed Ghafari in 2023, and it’s unclear who’s currently at the helm of ISIS-K. That said, judging by the Iran attacks, its strategy remains unchanged.

Why Russia?

Radical Islamists have long accused Russia of being a state that “oppresses Muslims” both at home and abroad. ISIS propaganda regularly mentions Russia’s past military campaigns in Afghanistan and Chechnya, and Moscow’s intervention in support of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria put an even bigger target on its back.

ISIS-K leadership has seen the initial success of ISIS leadership, which capitalized politically on the global struggle against “infidel empires” such as the United States, China, Iran, and Russia. Prioritizing “external operations” could yield far greater political and financial benefits (in the form of donations) than working with local resources.

There are also deeper reasons for the particular hostility towards Russia. In recent years, ISIS-K has been trying to expand the movement’s ethnic base — both in Afghanistan and beyond. In the northern regions of Afghanistan, where many ethnic Uzbeks and Tajiks live, its numbers are growing. ISIS-K regularly threatens Central Asian authorities, calling them “puppets of the Russian empire.” In this sense, the struggle against Russia is a fight for resources: primarily for radically minded supporters in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and neighboring countries.

Was ISIS-K behind the attack?

There’s still no publicly available indisputable evidence that ISIS-K organized the attack. However, ISIS has claimed responsibility, and sources told CNN that the U.S. is in possession of intelligence confirming these claims. The New York Times also reported that Washington considers ISIS-K to be behind the attack.

Ruslan Suleymanov, a Middle East expert, expressed skepticism to Meduza about whether ISIS-K currently possesses the necessary resources to organize such a large-scale terrorist attack on the outskirts of Moscow. However, the attack doesn’t appear to have been “high-tech” in nature: the perpetrators clearly had problems with their escape plan, as well as with weapons. (In a video from the attack, sparks are seen flying from the barrel of one of the machine guns, which could indicate that either the ammunition or the weapons themselves were in poor condition.)

Suleymanov said it’s also difficult to confirm whether messages on ISIS Telegram channels are authentic as the group’s accounts are regularly blocked, forcing it to create new ones. The posts about the Moscow attack come from ISIS-linked Amaq News Agency, not from ISIS-K directly. In one picture, the four alleged “participants in the operation” are shown with blurred faces against the backdrop of the Islamic State flag. Amaq later released a first-person body-cam video that clearly shows the attack on Crocus City Hall, corroborating the Islamic State’s involvement.

[newscast1]

At least 10 killed, 8 injured in blast outside military airport in Kabul

At least 10 killed, 8 injured in blast outside military airport in Kabul

A blast outside a military airport in Afghanistan’s Kabul has reportedly killed at least 10 people. Many others have sustained injuries in the explosion. New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 1, 2023 19:55 IST An investigation into the blast is underway. By India Today Web Desk: An explosion was reported outside a military airport in Afghanistan’s Kabul on Sunday. At least 10 people were killed in the deadly…

[thunderrabby-blog]

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Explosion outside the airport causes multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry says. An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said. “Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens…

[thetopbestguide]

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Explosion outside the airport causes multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry says. An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said. “Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens…

[arun-pratap-singh]

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Explosion outside the airport causes multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry says. An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said. “Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens…

[ahnewsworld]

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

Several feared dead in blast outside Kabul military airport | News

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY, Explosion outside the airport causes multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry says. An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said. “Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens…

[rickztalk]

Blast outside Kabul's military airport, multiple casualties feared | World News

Blast outside Kabul’s military airport, multiple casualties feared | World News

Kabul: An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul on Sunday has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said. “Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens were martyred and injured,” spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor told Reuters, adding that investigations are underway. #Blast #Kabuls…

[insideusnet]

Blast Outside Kabul's Military Airport, Multiple Casualties Feared -Interior Ministry Spokesman : Inside US

Blast Outside Kabul’s Military Airport, Multiple Casualties Feared -Interior Ministry Spokesman : Inside US

KABUL (Reuters) – An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul on Sunday has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said. “Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens were martyred and injured,” spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor told Reuters, adding that investigations are under way. (Reporting…

[parichaytimes]

काबुल एयरपोर्ट में हुए फिदायीन हमले में 3 अमेरिकी सैनिक घायल, तालिबानी लड़ाके भी हुए घायल

काबुल एयरपोर्ट में हुए फिदायीन हमले में 3 अमेरिकी सैनिक घायल, तालिबानी लड़ाके भी हुए घायल

Image Source : @TOLONEWS काबुल एयरपोर्ट में हुए फिदायीन हमले में 3 अमेरिकी सैनिक घायल काबुल: काबुल एयरपोरर्ट पर गुरुवार शाम फिदायीन हमला हुआ है। अमेरिकी रक्षा विभाग पेंटागन की तरफ से दी गई जानकारी के मुताबिक, काबुल एयरपोर्ट पर विस्फोट हुआ है। काबुल एयरपोर्ट के Abbey गेट पर धमाका होने की खबर है। बताया जा रहा है कि कुल 2 हमलावर थे। एक ने खुद को बम से उड़ा लिया दूसरे ने फायरिंग की। इस ब्लास्ट में…

[stockmarket3334]

Explosion Kuba Matanzas

Explosion Kuba Matanzas  Matanzas (+video) › Cuba ” in Granma ist wegen eines stromlecks in einer Tankstelle ein Feuer ausgebrochen. Explosion Kuba Matanzas Am Freitag brach in einem Tank am Stadtrand von Madanzas ein Feuer aus. Explosion Kuba Matanzas Als der Blitz die Kuppel der Anlage traf, die als geodätisches Kuppeldach bekannt ist, enthielt die Lagerstätte etwa 50 Kubikmeter inländisches…

[factsfirst]

"Terrorist explosions outside Kabul's international airport on Thursday that killed multiple US service members came after days of public and private warnings from President Joe Biden of a potential attack that could disrupt the massive airlift effort underway there."

[arun-pratap-singh]

Blast outside Kabul's military airport, multiple casualties feared

Blast outside Kabul’s military airport, multiple casualties feared

KABUL: An explosion outside the military airport in Kabul on Sunday has caused multiple casualties, a spokesman for the Taliban-run interior ministry said.“Today morning an explosion took place outside Kabul military airport, due to which a number of our citizens were martyred and injured,” spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor told Reuters, adding that investigations are under way. Source link

[mariacallous]

BREAKING NEWS

The reported death toll of the Kabul bombing rose to as many as 170 people, with at least 200 wounded, local health officials said. Here's the latest.

Friday, August 27, 2021 11:32 AM EST

A day after at least one explosion outside the Kabul airport killed 13 American troops and scores of Afghans, crowds sought once again to leave, their desperation to flee the Taliban blending with grief and fear of renewed violence.

Read the latest

[sleepysera]

Aug 26 Headlines

WORLD NEWS

Afghanistan: Latest on blasts reported outside Kabul airport (CNN)

"There have been at least two explosions near a gate at Kabul's airport that "resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties," the Pentagon says. The exact number of casualties is not clear. French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday the "coming hours will remain extremely dangerous in Kabul and at the airport," following two explosions outside the Kabul airport. “We are confronted with a very tense situation and we are coordinating with our American allies,” Macron said"

Venezuela: Search for landslide survivors continues as more rains fall (BBC)

"Rescue workers are searching for more than a dozen people who are missing after landslides tore through towns in Venezuela's western Mérida state. With 10 more days of rain forecast, rescuers are racing to reach those feared buried before new mudslides are triggered. Twenty people are confirmed to have died and emergency workers have still to reach some of the worst-hit areas. President Nicolás Maduro said more than 8,000 homes had been destroyed."

Japan: 1.63M doses of Moderna vaccine suspended over contamination (AP)

"Japan suspended use of about 1.63 million doses of Moderna vaccine Thursday after contamination was found in unused vials, raising concern of a supply shortage as the country tries to accelerate vaccinations amid a COVID-19 surge. The health ministry said contamination was reported from multiple vaccination sites. Some doses might have been administered, but no adverse health effects have been reported so far, officials said."

US NEWS

Israel: PM to make case to Biden against Iran nuclear pact (AP)

"Before arriving in Washington, Bennett made clear the top priority of the visit to the White House was to persuade Biden not to return to the nuclear accord, arguing Iran has already advanced in its uranium enrichment, and that sanctions relief would give Iran more resources to back Israel’s enemies in the region."

Capitol Riot: Capitol Police officers sue Trump, allies over insurrection (AP)

"U.S. Capitol Police officers who were attacked and beaten during the Capitol riot filed a lawsuit Thursday against former President Donald Trump, his allies and members of far-right extremist groups, accusing them of intentionally sending a violent mob on Jan. 6 to disrupt the congressional certification of the election. The suit in federal court in Washington alleges Trump “worked with white supremacists, violent extremist groups, and campaign supporters to violate the Ku Klux Klan Act, and commit acts of domestic terrorism in an unlawful effort to stay in power.”"

2020 Election: US judge reprimands Trump election fraud lawyers (BBC)

"US District Judge Linda Parker described a lawsuit filed in Michigan by Mr Trump's counsel as a "profound abuse of the judicial process". Her 110-page ruling, issued Wednesday, sanctioned Sidney Powell, Lin Wood and seven others who alleged voter fraud. Judge Parker said the lawyers intended to undermine the electoral system. "This case was never about fraud - it was about undermining the people's faith in our democracy and debasing the judicial process to do so," she said in her ruling."