On March 24, 2024, Media Analyst, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Telegram channel, shared a post discussing the March 22 deadly attack in Moscow, for which ISIS claimed responsibility. The post argued that the attack was a "smart strike" that would lead to further global chaos and deepen differences between Russia and NATO.
"Punishing Russia For Its Intervention in Syria"
Titled, "Russia's 'Crocus' attack," the post celebrated the attack, arguing that it was aimed at punishing Russia for its military intervention in Syria:
"At the end of 2015, specifically on the 30th of September of the same year, the Russian military intervention in Syria began with air and ground participation of its military forces, represented by the army and the Wagner militias. They committed heinous massacres against Muslims in Syria that cannot be summarized or enumerated," it said.
Hailing ISIS fighters as defenders of the Islamic Ummah (nation), the post claimed that they are "brave Muslim men who never ceased to support the religion and the Muslims. Their swords have reached all of its enemies, from those who dared to enter the land of Syria."
"Moscow Attack Will Lead The World To Further Chaos"
Assessing the attack in Russia as "a smart strike," the post explained that it came at a time when disputes were escalating between Russia and its NATO enemies.
"This attack will complicate the global crisis, Allah willing, and the differences between them will increase further, which will lead the world to complete chaos, and all of this will be in the interest of Muslims, Allah willing."
"ISIS Operatives Can Reach Its Enemies Everywhere"
Mocking Iran-backed media outlets which accused ISIS of being a proxy of the United States, the post responded:
"And to those who accuse Muslim men of being agents of so-and-so and so-and-so, where are your minds, you scum! Haven't you seen that in every country which you accused [ISIS] of collaborating with, our swords have reached them? So why all this envy and hatred towards them [i.e., ISIS]? It is no wonder that you find these operations difficult to believe, therefore you are astonished at what they do; you accuse them of working as agent for this, and that, in order to spare yourself the embarrassment!"
The post ended: "There is great goodness to come!"
