Terror attack in Moscow sparks condemnation from global community
4 Min Read
Though Germany did not condemn the attack, it did express condolences to the families of the victims.
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A Russian Rosguardia (National Guard) servicemen secures an area as a massive blaze seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 22, 2024. (AP)
In the aftermath of the terrorist attack that struck Moscow's Crocus City Hall concert venue and left dozens of civilians dead, several countries on Friday issued statements expressing strong condemnation of the heinous act.
Among these countries include Iran, Egypt, Cuba, Italy, Belarus, Syria, Serbia and Pakistan, among many others.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani condemned the attack in Moscow and expressed condolences to the government and people of Russia.
ناصر کنعانی سخنگوی وزارت امور خارجه حمله تروریستی خونین و وحشیانه به یک مرکز تجاری در مسکو را که به کشته و مجروح شدن جمع زیادی از شهروندان #روسیه منجر شد، شدیداً محکوم کرد.
— 🇮🇷 وزارت امور خارجه (@IRIMFA) March 22, 2024
کنعانی ضمن ابراز تسلیت به دولت و ملت روسیه به ویژه خانواده‌های قربانيان گفت، جمهوری اسلامی ایران در این… pic.twitter.com/A8NUmXBrmr
Egypt's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack:
"The Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall and expressed condolences to the Russian government and Russians," a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry read.
— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 22, 2024
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel posted on social media: "Cuba condemns the atrocious terrorist act that occurred in the Moscow region. Our sincere condolences to the government and people of the Federation of Russia for the loss of human life and the numerous injuries. Our condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the victims."
#Cuba condena atroz acto terrorista ocurrido en la región de Moscú.
— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) March 22, 2024
Nuestras sinceras condolencias al gobierno y pueblo de la Federación de #Rusia por la pérdida de vidas humanas y los numerosos heridos.
Sean extensivas a los familiares y allegados de las víctimas.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani wrote in a post on social media platform X: "I spoke to our Chargé d'Affaires in Russia for updates on what's happening at Moscow. We are following the situation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Crisis Unit. I express condemnation of all forms of terrorism and solidarity with the families of the victims."
Ho parlato con il nostro Incaricato d’Affari in Russia per aggiornamenti su quanto sta accadendo a #Mosca.
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) March 22, 2024
Stiamo seguendo la situazione con l‘Unità di Crisi di @ItalyMFA.
Esprimo condanna verso ogni forma di terrorismo e vicinanza nei confronti delle famiglie delle vittime.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry likewise condemned the attack, describing it as "horrendous", and expressed solidarity with the people of Russia.
We strongly condemn the horrendous attack carried out at a concert hall in Moscow. We express our deepest sympathies with the families of the victims. At this difficult hour, we stand in solidarity with the people and Government of the Russian Federation.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 22, 2024
Likewise on X, Belarus's Foreign Ministry described the attack as "heinous" and "unjustified".
We are following with deep pain what is happening in Moscow. @mfa_russia This heinous terrorist act can never be justified.
— Belarus MFA 🇧🇾 (@BelarusMFA) March 22, 2024
We stand together with the brotherly Russian people in these difficult moments. We express our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the… pic.twitter.com/FGemiM1kv3
The Syrian Foreign Ministry expressed condemnation of the attack.
"Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates: Syria condemns in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist act that took place in the Crocus Mall near the Russian capital, Moscow, which comes after the major achievements made by the friendly Russian people, especially the special operation carried out by the Russian army in the Donbass region," a statement issued by the Ministry read.
وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين: سورية تدين بأشد العبارات العمل الإرهابي الجبان الذي وقع في مجمع كروكوس التجاري قرب العاصمة الروسية موسكو والذي يأتي بعد الإنجازات الكبرى التي حققها الشعب الروسي الصديق وخاصة العملية الخاصة التي ينفذها الجيش الروسي في منطقة دونباس pic.twitter.com/I7Oq79kBlE
— وزارة الإعلام السورية (@moi_syria1) March 22, 2024
Though Germany did not condemn the attack, it did express condolences to the families of the victims.
The images of the terrible attack on innocent people in Crocus City Hall near #Moscow are horrific. The background must be investigated quickly. Our deepest condolences with the families of the victims.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) March 22, 2024
Prior intel
On March 8, a report by The Telegraph revealed that both the UK and US embassies in Russia sent out a warning that a terrorist attack could happen in Moscow within the next 24 hours.
The warning initially issued by the US embassy was reiterated by the UK's embassy, advising American citizens to steer clear of large gatherings for the next 48 hours. It stressed that it is "monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts".
The embassy further sent an advisory to its citizens to “monitor local media for updates” and “be aware of your surroundings”.
The news came a day after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that its agents had dodged a potential ISIS terrorist attack on a Moscow synagogue, with state-owned media claiming those plotting the attackers were killed. However, it remains unclear whether these incidents are related.
In reaction to the report, Serbian President Alexandre Vucic told the Prva broadcaster that calls by the US and British embassies to their nationals not to visit shopping malls in Moscow show that their intelligence services had certain information about possible terrorist attacks.
"On March 7, the US Embassy cautioned its citizens against visiting shopping centers. Then the British and some others did the same. This means that their intelligence services wiretapped certain conversations, got information and knew that something would happen," Vucic told the Prva.
