The Islamic State (IS) has called on its followers to carry out attacks in Russia in a video published online.
The nine minute video was uploaded to Youtube on Sunday by a Telegram messenger account previously used by IS. The clip shows a masked driver shouting, “Listen Putin, we will come to Russia and kill you at your homes… Oh brothers, carry out Jihad and kill and fight them.”
The video also shows armed men attacking armored vehicles and tents and collecting weapons in the desert.
The accompanying subtitles, which have so far not been verified, claim that the skirmish is taking place near the town of Akashat in Iraq’s western Anbar province.
The video follows recent proposals between Russia and the United States to cooperate more closely in the fight against IS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.
IS has previously called on its fighters to carry out attacks abroad, with the group claiming responsibility for a spate of deadly attacks in France and Germany in the last month.
The Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.