Reactions continue to condemn the bloody attack that took place in Moscow, on Friday, and was claimed by ISIS, in which gunmen wearing camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people during a concert in the “Crocus City” hall near Moscow, on Friday, in one of the… The worst attacks Russia has witnessed in years.
Russian news website Baza reported that the death toll from the attack on a concert hall near Moscow had risen to 62 people, according to preliminary information.
A preliminary toll indicated that at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured, according to what local agencies reported from the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Russian security confirmed that it was “looking” for the attackers and did not specify whether the suspects were still in the building as of 8 p.m. GMT.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced this “bloody terrorist attack” and “terrible crime,” while the committee in charge of major criminal investigations in the country announced that it had “opened a criminal investigation into a terrorist act.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, condemned the Moscow attack “in the strongest terms,” according to what his deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said.
Haq said in a statement, “The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families, the people and the government of the Russian Federation. He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.”
On Friday, the White House offered its condolences following the deaths of victims in a “horrific” shooting in Moscow, declaring that it had no indications of Ukraine’s involvement in the bloody attack.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters: “We extend our sympathies to the victims of this horrific attack. The images are horrific and difficult to watch.”
ISIS claims responsibility for the Moscow attack
ISIS claimed responsibility via Telegram for the attack on a concert hall near Moscow, which killed at least 40 people and injured dozens.
He added, “There is no indication yet that Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting.”
He continued, “I cannot provide more details,” noting that the United States is seeking “more information.”
He said: “I do not advise at such an early stage to link the matter to Ukraine.”
He pointed out, “There are people in Moscow and Russia who disagree with the way Russian President Vladimir Putin rules,” adding, “But I do not think it is possible to link the attack to political motives at the current stage.”
Ukrainian presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, confirmed that his country, which has been facing a Russian military attack for two years, “has nothing to do” with the attack.
For its part, Ukrainian military intelligence said that “the terrorist attack in Moscow was a planned and deliberate provocation by the Russian special services on the orders of (Vladimir) Putin,” considering that its goal was to justify harsher strikes against Ukraine and mobilize the Russians.
The European Union expressed “shock and dismay” after the “terrorist attack,” and EU spokesman Peter Stano said, “The European Union is shocked and dismayed by the reports of a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow. The European Union condemns all attacks on civilians.” .
On Friday, France condemned the “heinous” attack, and the French Foreign Ministry said on the X platform: “The pictures that reach us from Moscow are terrible. Our thoughts are with the victims, the wounded, and the Russian people.”
On Friday, Spain expressed its “shock,” and the Spanish Foreign Ministry said on the X platform: “We are shocked by the news coming from Russia. Our solidarity is with the victims, their families, and the Russian people. Spain condemns any form of violence.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the Moscow attack in a statement as a “heinous act of terrorism.”
Meloni said in a brief statement that “the horror of the massacre of innocent civilians in Moscow is unacceptable,” expressing her “full solidarity with those affected and the families of the victims.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in a phone call that Ankara condemned the shooting and described it as a terrorist attack, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters.
“We regret the deplorable loss of human life and reject any act of violence against civilian lives,” the Mexican Foreign Ministry said on the X platform.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stated: “We express our support for President Vladimir Putin and raise our voices to categorically reject any act of violence.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said on the X platform: “We are saddened by the tragic events this evening in Moscow. We are thinking of the feelings of the families of the victims and all those affected.”
The Palestinian presidency also expressed its “strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack,” and “reaffirmed President Mahmoud Abbas’ position of rejecting terrorism, whatever its source.”
How do survivors describe what they witnessed in the Moscow attack?
At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured when gunmen wearing camouflage clothing opened fire with automatic weapons on people during a concert at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, on Friday, in one of the worst attacks Russia has witnessed in years. While Russian and international news agencies documented what happened according to accounts from eyewitnesses who survived the attack.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said on the X platform that it “strongly condemns and denounces the attack.”
Jordan condemned Moscow’s attack, and the official spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Sufyan Al-Qudah, expressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Russia, and rejected and denounced the “cowardly terrorist act that targeted innocent civilians,” according to the Jordanian News Agency, Petra.
The UAE expressed its sincere condolences to Russia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it called “criminal acts” and affirmed its rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism that aim to destabilize security and stability and are inconsistent with international law, according to the WAM news agency.
Iraq affirmed its denunciation of the “terrorist attack” in Moscow, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it “renews its firm position on the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to confront terrorism, as well as its rejection of violent crimes in all its forms and manifestations,” what the “INA” news agency reported.
After the attack, Russia tightened its security measures at airports, transport stations and around the capital, a vast area with a population of more than 21 million people.
The Kremlin said Putin receives regular briefings about the incident.
The Kremlin added, “Vladimir Putin was informed that the shooting had begun in the first minutes of what happened in the Crocus City Hall.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “The president constantly receives information about what is happening and about the measures taken by all relevant agencies. The head of state has issued all necessary instructions.”
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