Daesh “still poses a great danger” says US-backed group
133 were killed at the Crocus City Hall (outskirts of Moscow) on March 22 as ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack minutes after.
A US-backed force in Syria warned the international community on March 23 to not underestimate the huge threat that Daesh pose, AP reported.
The statement from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who defeated prominent terror group ISIS in the Middle Eastern country exactly five years ago on March 23, came swiftly after the deadly attacks on the outskirts of Moscow.
The ISIS rampage at the Crocus City Hall on the evening of March 22 saw a provisional death toll of 40 however as of March 25, the toll stands at 133 with dozens more severely injured.
President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the attack but paid little attention to ISIS, who claimed responsibility for the attack just minutes after on social media app Telegram, and also hinted that Kiev could have been involved in the attack.
Ukraine hit back at the long-serving Russian leader, accusing him of further stoking buoyant tensions between the two countries just over two years since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.
The SDF said in a statement, “The terrorist organization still poses a great danger to our regions and the world, it seeks to rebuild itself through its sleeper cells and tries to revive its dreams of regaining geographical control over some areas.”
On March 23, 2019, SDF fighters captured the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz which symbolised the termination of ISIS’ caliphate that was shown the door in various parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq.
READ: 40 dead in Moscow rampage
The statement focused largely on said event from five years ago, “The liberation of Baghouz marked a pivotal moment. Our forces freed millions from the organization’s terror, safeguarding not only our region but the world from its barbarity.”
The force is currently holding some 10,000 ISIS fighters in over 20 detention centres spread across Syria’s northeast.
Even though Daesh has been subdued to some extent, the SDF warned of potential, growing radicalisation and support for the terror group.
“Concerns are growing about the children of Daesh who are receiving the organization’s teachings within this terrorist-infested environment. This in itself poses a threat to the future of the region and the world.”
IS continues to have a strong presence in the Idlib province (northwest Syria), Afghanistan and West Africa.
Following the Moscow attack, Putin noted that all four gunmen involved had been detained. Those responsible, all of whom are from Tajikistan, appeared in court in Moscow on March 24 and will be remanded in custody until they face trial on May 22.
AP/ The Guardian
