Media Office of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Lebanon

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a shopping centre in the Russian capital, Moscow. The PFLP expressed its full solidarity with the Russian leadership, the Russian people and the families of the victims – wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded.

The PFLP confirmed that this brutal attack bears the fingerprints of typical America and NATO operations. This is due to Moscow continuously challenging (and defeating) US and NATO aggression – just as Gaza and Palestine are challenging and defeating US and NATO aggression – in the face of American-Zionist terrorism.

It is important to recall the dozens of similar operations carried out by such terrorist groups that were the creation of the Pentagon and other Western entities (some posing as fake Islamic militants) – the objective of which is to carryout terrorist operations that achieve the plans of America, using its arms, and its henchmen.

Palestinian (Arabic) Text:

لجبهة الشعبية تُدين الهجوم الإرهابي في موسكو وتؤكد أن بصمات أمريكا والناتو واضحة

المكتب الإعلامي للجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين في لبنان

أدانت الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين بشدة الهجوم الإرهابي الذي استهدف مركزًا تجاريًا بالعاصمة الروسية موسكو.
وأعربت الجبهة عن تضامنها الكامل مع القيادة الروسية و الشعب وعائلات الضحايا، متمنية الشفاء العاجل للجرحى.
وأكدت الجبهة أن هذا الهجوم الوحشي يحمل بصمات أمريكا وحلف الناتو، إذ تدفعه موسكو كالذي تدفعه غزة وفلسطين في مواجهة الارهاب الامريكي- الصهيوني، مذكرةً بعشرات العمليات التي تبنتها جماعات إرهابية كانت صنيعة البنتاغون ومهمتها تنفيذ عمليات إرهابية تحقق مخططات أمريكا وأذرعها وأذنابه

Xinhua Headlines: At least 133 killed in Moscow terror attack, Putin vows retribution

Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia 2024-03-24

* A deadly shooting at a concert hall in suburban Moscow on Friday killed at least 133 people and injured over 100, the Investigative Committee of Russia said Saturday.

* According to the authorities, the shooters used automatic weapons at the site and used flammable liquid to set fire.

* Putin said all four gunmen in the attack were detained, adding that all perpetrators, organizers and financiers of this crime will be punished.

MOSCOW, March 23 (Xinhua) — A deadly shooting at a concert hall in suburban Moscow on Friday killed at least 133 people and injured over 100, the Investigative Committee of Russia said Saturday.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that the shooting occurred at the Crocus City Hall in northwest Moscow during a concert. According to the authorities, the shooters used automatic weapons at the site and used flammable liquid to set fire.

Earlier media reports put the death toll at 143.

In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the terrorist attack bloody and barbaric, vowing retribution.

Putin said all four gunmen in the attack were detained, adding that all perpetrators, organizers and financiers of this crime will be punished.

“Whoever they are, whoever guides them. I repeat, we will identify and punish everyone who stands behind the terrorists, who prepared this atrocity. This is a strike against Russia, against our people,” Putin said.

The FSB said earlier that 11 people had been detained, including four who were directly involved in the terrorist attack, adding that the criminals intended to cross the Russian-Ukrainian border after the attack.

Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, said those behind this horrific terrorist attack must be “eradicated.”

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, stressed that those involved must face retribution, vowing to find and eliminate the attackers.

Following the attack, security measures have been tightened across Russia. Security checks at Moscow’s airports and train, subway and bus stations have also intensified. Moscow and other regions have canceled all sports, cultural and other large public events.

State Duma Deputy Chairman Pyotr Tolstoy suggested the attack should not be viewed separately from the special military operation and Russia’s confrontation with the “collective West.” “This terrible day will only force us to unite stronger to fight until victory,” he added.

In response to the tragedy, spontaneous vigils were organized in several Russian cities. Electronic billboards in many cities displayed images of candles in mourning of those killed in the attack.

A Moscow resident named Alexey said he was deeply shocked upon learning about the incident last night and hopes those responsible will be swiftly apprehended.

“I feel very heartbroken and upset,” said Moscow resident Nadezhda, who lives near the site of the incident. “It’s a horrific deed to launch attacks on civilians.”

Analysts note that this is one of the severe terrorist attacks Russia has faced in over a decade.

Based on online photos and videos, political scientist Sergei Razgulyaev said that the attackers appeared professional, “like mercenaries.”

Alexey Filatov, a veteran of Russian special forces unit Alpha Group, said that judging from eyewitness accounts and circulating videos, the attackers had long planned their assault, armed not just with firearms but also explosives.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, called for international condemnation of the heinous crime.

The White House said on Friday night that there was no indication Ukraine or Ukrainians were involved in the attack and that it would continue to monitor the situation.

Zakharova said the U.S. conclusions raised questions, urging the United States to share any reliable information with Russia.

Advisor to the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Mikhail Podolyak and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry both rejected allegations of Ukraine’s involvement in the attack.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the terrorist act, offering condolences to the victims’ families, the Russian people and the government. Leaders from around the globe have also expressed condolences and condemned the attack.