Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Chief Editor
Published on 2024-03-24 21:02:00
Russia mourned a tragic incident that shook the nation to its core, as flags were lowered to half-mast to honor the victims of a deadly attack at a rock concert outside Moscow. The attack, carried out by gunmen armed with automatic weapons, resulted in the loss of at least 137 lives, including three children, and left over 150 people injured. President Vladimir Putin declared a national day of mourning, expressing his deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
Although the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, Putin refrained from directly naming the group, mentioning only that the attackers were attempting to escape to Ukraine. He alleged that individuals on the “Ukrainian side” were aiding in their escape, a claim vehemently denied by Ukrainian officials. The incident was attributed to “international terrorism,” marking it as the deadliest attack on Russian soil since the 2004 Beslan school siege.
In the aftermath of the attack, a sense of shock and grief engulfed the people of Russia, with makeshift memorials springing up outside the concert hall where the tragedy unfolded. The rescue operation was diligently carried out, with efforts to identify the victims still ongoing. Blood donation drives were organized in Moscow, with an outpouring of support from countries around the world in solidarity with Russia.
As the investigation unfolded, Putin revealed that 11 individuals, including the four gunmen, had been apprehended. The suspects, believed to have been fleeing towards Ukraine, were captured near the border. Footage released by the FSB confirmed the suspects’ proximity to the Ukrainian border, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to denounce Putin’s attempts to shift blame.
Amidst the chaos, conflicting narratives emerged, with ISIL claiming responsibility for the attack while the White House insisted on the group’s sole culpability. The US government maintained that they had provided early warnings to Russia regarding a planned attack, emphasizing that there was no Ukrainian involvement.
The tragic events in Moscow underscored the global threat posed by terrorism, prompting calls for unity and vigilance in the face of such senseless violence. The outpouring of support and condolences from around the world highlighted the need for concerted efforts to combat extremism and protect innocent lives. As the investigation into the attack continued, Russia mourned its losses while bracing for the challenging road to recovery ahead.
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