The US embassy in Russia has raised alarms about potential extremist activity in Moscow, echoing recent developments where Russian security forces claimed to have thwarted a planned assault on a synagogue by a cell associated with the Islamic State’s Afghan faction.
In a statement, the embassy advised American citizens to exercise caution and avoid large gatherings, including concerts, over the next 48 hours.
It refrained from providing specific details about the threat but emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant in public spaces.
Quoting the embassy’s website, it stated, “The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours.”
The embassy’s warning followed an announcement by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) regarding the interception of a plot targeting a synagogue in Moscow, allegedly orchestrated by a cell affiliated with the militant group Islamic State.
Despite the proximity of the statements, any direct correlation between the two incidents remains unclear.
Tensions between Russia and Western nations have escalated sharply amidst the conflict in Ukraine, leading to strained relations not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
The Kremlin accuses the US of undermining Russia’s interests by providing support to Ukraine through financial aid, weaponry, and intelligence sharing.
According to the FSB, the Islamic State cell operating in Russia’s Kaluga region represents the Afghan branch of the organization, known as ISIS-Khorasan, with aspirations of establishing a caliphate across several Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
ISIS-Khorasan gained notoriety for its extreme acts of violence since its emergence in eastern Afghanistan in 2014.
The FSB reported that the apprehended militants had been preparing to launch a firearm-based assault on synagogue attendees but were neutralized by Russian special forces following a confrontation.
Subsequent searches yielded firearms, ammunition, and materials for constructing an improvised explosive device, underscoring the severity of the threat posed by the extremist cell.
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