LONDON: A claim of responsibility by Daesh for a massacre of Russian concertgoers near Moscow appears to be plausible and fits with a pattern of previous marauding attacks by Islamist militants, security analysts said on Saturday.
One leading expert said, however, it was unusual and striking that the assailants had formed and executed an escape plan instead of pursuing their rampage to the point of being gunned down.
Daesh issued statements claiming responsibility for Friday evening’s attack in which Russian investigators said 133 people were killed, and published a photograph of the alleged gunmen.
Russia has not said who it believes was behind the mass shooting, but has stated — without providing evidence — that the perpetrators had contacts in Ukraine. It said the gunmen fled by car and were captured hours later near the Ukrainian border. Ukraine, defending against Russia’s invasion since 2022, has emphatically denied any involvement.
Adam Dolnik, a Czech security expert who has studied past Islamist attacks in India, Kenya, Russia and elsewhere, said the Daesh claim appeared credible, although “that will not stop the Russians from leveraging this for their foreign policy agenda vis-a-vis Ukraine and the West.”
Dolnik said in a telephone interview that attacks by marauding gunmen were a typical modus operandi in recent years for Daesh and Al-Qaeda.
He noted Daesh has a record of previous attacks against Russia, including the bombing of a 2015 flight from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg and a 2022 attack on the Russian embassy in Kabul. Earlier this month, Russia’s FSB said it foiled an attack on a Moscow synagogue by Daesh-K, an affiliate of the group.
“If you line up all these things together, then I think it’s completely conceivable that this would be an Daesh attack,” he said.
The one element that was unusual was that the perpetrators had made their escape, he said — unlike typical Islamist militant attacks where the perpetrators go in prepared to die and expecting to be shot in the end by security forces.
TUNNEL VISION
Their execution of the attack and escape showed a high degree of planning and coordination, given gunmen in such situations can get caught up in “tunnel vision” and end up scattered and isolated from their accomplices, Dolnik said.
“If they were coordinated enough to actually make an escape all together, all at once, that to me tells a story of a really well planned attack and strong coordination between the individual attackers.”
Yassin Musharbash, a German journalist and security specialist, said the language, content and channels of communication that were used for the claim of responsibility showed that the claim definitely came from Daesh.
In a post on X, he said that did not mean it was factually true that the group carried out the attack, but that this was plausible.
In the past, militant groups have been known to claim attacks carried out by others, if they fit with their preferred targets and propaganda goals.
Daesh has strong motivation to strike Russia, which intervened against it in Syria’s civil war in 2015 on the side of President Bashar Assad.
“Daesh-K has been fixated on Russia for the past two years, frequently criticizing Putin in its propaganda,” said Colin Clarke of Soufan Center, a New York-based research group. The Daesh-K branch of Daesh sprang up in 2014 in Afghanistan.
Michael Kugelman of the Washington-based Wilson Center said Daesh-K “sees Russia as being complicit in activities that regularly oppress Muslims.”
Peter Neumann, another German security specialist, said the claim of responsibility, the modus operandi, the alleged involvement of Muslim gunmen from former Soviet Central Asia and the fact that the United States had warned of an impending “extremist” attack in Russia all pointed toward Daesh.
“*Conclusion* It wasn’t Putin, it wasn’t Ukraine. It was Daesh!” he posted on X.
Security experts say Daesh claim for Russian concert attack is credible
https://arab.news/rqdpg
Security experts say Daesh claim for Russian concert attack is credible
- Adam Dolnik, a Czech security expert who has studied past Islamist attacks in India, Kenya, Russia and elsewhere, said the Daesh claim appeared credible
- Michael Kugelman of the Washington-based Wilson Center said Daesh-K “sees Russia as being complicit in activities that regularly oppress Muslims”
India says PM Modi invited for Russia’s Victory Day parade
Russia has promised to hold its biggest World War II commemorations “in history” to mark 80 years since the Soviet Union and allied powers defeated Nazi Germany.
The annual Victory Day celebration on May 9 has emerged as Russia’s most important public holiday, one marked with a massive parade of military equipment and soldiers through the Red Square, and culminating in an address from President Vladimir Putin.
Historically close to Russia, India has resisted Western pressure to distance itself from Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia sells India critical military hardware, and has also increasingly emerged as a key energy supplier as New Delhi seeks a pipeline of cheap imports to fuel its economic expansion.
“Our prime minister has received an invitation for participation in the Victory Day celebrations,” foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi.
“We will be announcing our participation in victory day celebrations at the appropriate time.”
Modi visited Russia last October for a multilateral summit and Putin is expected to arrive in India for a bilateral later this year.
Never take peace for granted, King Charles tells Italy parliament
- “Britain and Italy stand today united in defense of the democratic values we share,” King Charles said
- He became the first ever British monarch to address a joint session of Italy’s parliament
ROME: King Charles III warned Wednesday that peace can never be taken for granted and hailed Italy for standing by Ukraine, as he made a historic address to parliament in Rome.
“Peace is never to be taken, never to be taken for granted,” the 76-year-old monarch said during his third day of a state visit to Italy with his wife, Queen Camilla.
“Britain and Italy stand today united in defense of the democratic values we share.
“Our countries have both stood by Ukraine in her hour of need and welcomed many thousands of Ukrainians requiring shelter.”
He noted the defense ties between Italy and the UK, through NATO and a project to develop a new fighter jet with Japan.
Speaking in English with some Italian, Charles became the first ever British monarch to address a joint session of Italy’s parliament.
The king also addressed an issue close to his heart, the environment.
“Just as we stand together in defense of our values, so too we stand together in defense of our planet,” he said.
“From the droughts in Sicily to the floods in Somerset, both our countries are already seeing the ever more damaging effects of climate change.”
Indonesia deploys 1,090 soldiers for UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon
- Country has contributed troops to UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon since 2006
- Indonesian soldiers were wounded when Israel attacked UNIFIL peacekeepers last year
JAKARTA: The Indonesian military dispatched 1,090 peacekeepers on Wednesday to serve in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, for which Indonesia is the main troop-contributing country.
Indonesia has contributed troops to UNIFIL since 2006, after the operation’s mandate was expanded by the UN Security Council following the Second Lebanon War to help the Lebanese Army keep control over the south of the country, which borders Israel.
The new batch of Indonesian soldiers will replace the current group serving in the country’s Garuda Contingent, which consists of 1,230 personnel and whose terms expire at the end of this month.
“Today, I am very proud to send off 1,090 selected Indonesian soldiers to join the Garuda Contingent, which is on duty in the UNIFIL Mission in Lebanon,” Indonesian Armed Forces Chief Gen. Agus Subiyanto said at a pre-departure briefing in Jakarta.
“The trust that the UN has given to Indonesia to continue sending forces for its peacekeeping operations is proof that the world recognizes the professionalism, discipline and dedication of the Indonesian Armed Forces.”
As of December 2024, UNIFIL’s force consists of 10,251 peacekeepers from 48 troop-contributing countries, with Indonesia topping the list, followed by Italy and India.
“The Indonesian Army’s involvement in UN peacekeeping operations is not merely a military mission, but also a humanitarian and cultural mission, and a national diplomacy at the global level,” Subiyanto said.
“I wish to remind every soldier that this mission is a sacred and noble mandate, so carry out this task as best as you can.”
UNIFIL has been patrolling the border area between Lebanon and Israel for almost 50 years.
The peacekeeping forces have been attacked multiple times by Israeli troops since Israel’s invasion of Lebanon last year.
Two Indonesian soldiers were among those wounded in October when Israeli tanks entered Naqoura village — where UNIFIL headquarters is located — and began firing on peacekeepers.
“The escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has been intensifying more lately. This tension has a huge impact on the south Lebanon region, where you have been assigned. For this I ask that you always prioritize safety while conducting your duties,” Subiyanto told the new batch of Indonesian peacekeepers.
“If the threat escalates and you are required to leave the area of operations, implement the contingency plan prepared by the UN.”
Indonesia is among the main troop-contributing countries in UN’s global peacekeeping operations, with 2,736 soldiers serving across eight missions.
India broadens cooperation with Dubai as emirate’s crown prince visits
- Dubai-India Business Forum takes place on sidelines of Sheikh Hamdan’s trip
- India-UAE Friendship Hospital to be established in Dubai for Indian workers
NEW DELHI: Indian authorities and businesses have expanded cooperation with Dubai during the emirate’s crown prince’s two-day state trip to India.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for his first official visit, during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his Cabinet.
From the capital, he traveled to Mumbai for the Dubai-India Business Forum co-organized by the Dubai Chambers, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
“Delighted that his first official visit to India coincides with the 100th anniversary year of the visit of his grandfather His Highness Sheikh Saeed to India,” Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told the forum’s participants.
“We witnessed the signing of MoUs focusing on future-ready supply chains and modernizing India’s maritime infrastructure … I underlined our deep cultural, economic, and trade ties that have further strengthened in the last decade with high-level engagements between our leadership that (go) beyond the realm of diplomacy.”
India’s economic ties with the UAE, including Dubai, have grown rapidly since the 2022 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into power, eliminating trade barriers, lowering tariffs, and easing business operations.
In 2024, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest global trade partner, following China and the US, with imports valued at $60.1 billion and exports at $37.8 billion.
In Dubai in particular, India has emerged as a top investor. Last year alone, India’s foreign direct investment into Dubai surged to over $3 billion.
The most populous of the UAE’s seven emirates, Dubai is also home to the majority of India’s 4.3 million diaspora.
“Indian investors form a key part of Dubai’s business landscape, with 72,651 active Indian companies registered as members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce by the end of March 2025,” Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of Dubai Chambers, said during the Mumbai forum.
“Dubai holds a strategic position for Indian companies as a preferred investment destination due to its unique competitive advantages.”
Venues for cooperation with the emirate were further explored during the business forum in Mumbai, which saw dozens of Dubai business leaders arriving during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit and in which a new agreement between the Dubai Chambers and CII was signed.
“The forum focused on enhancing strategic economic opportunities between the two markets and was attended by more than 200 businesses from both sides. During the forum, many avenues were explored to enhance trade and investment opportunities (and) identify new opportunities to launch new joint ventures and strategic partnerships,” Manish Mohan, CII regional director-international, told Arab News.
“The MoU between CII and Dubai Chambers is significant in trying to see how we can improve and expand business between the Emirate of Dubai and India.”
On the sidelines of Sheikh Hamdan’s visit, India and Dubai also agreed to establish in Dubai the first overseas campuses of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad and of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
“This follows the inauguration of the first-ever campus of the IIT in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi last year,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, adding that it also “positions Dubai and the UAE as a key regional and global destination for eminent Indian educational institutions.”
The new 100-bed India-UAE Friendship Hospital will also be established in Dubai to provide affordable healthcare to Indian workers.
“It is also a recognition of the contribution of millions of Indians for the development and growth of Dubai,” the ministry said.
“These initiatives will benefit the 4.3 million-strong Indian diaspora living in the UAE and around 9 million Indian diaspora in the Gulf region.”
China retaliates with 84% tariffs on US products from Thursday
- China – Washington’s top economic rival but also a major trading partner – is the hardest hit
- Tariffs imposed on its products since Trump returned now reaching a staggering 104 percent
BEIJING: China will impose 84 percent tariffs on US imports, up from 34 percent, the finance ministry said Wednesday, hours after similar levies by the United States came into force.
US President Donald Trump’s latest salvo of tariffs came into effect on dozens of trading partners Wednesday, including punishing 104 percent duties on imports of Chinese products.
Beijing has consistently opposed tariff rises and said Wednesday it would take “firm and forceful” steps to protect its interests.
Its finance ministry later said in a statement that “additional tariff rates” on imports originating in the United States would “rise from 34 percent to 84 percent,” effective from 12:01 p.m. on Thursday.
“The tariff escalation against China by the United States simply piles mistakes on top of mistakes (and) severely infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry said.
Washington’s moves “severely damage the multilateral rules-based trade system,” it added.
In a separate statement, Beijing’s commerce ministry said it would blacklist six American artificial intelligence firms, including Shield AI Inc. and Sierra Nevada Corp.
The companies had either sold arms to Taiwan or collaborated on “military technology” with the island, the commerce ministry said.
