World must beware the fallout from terror attack in Moscow
- Heinous crime that at least 139 people dead should not be allowed to detract from efforts to find peace – or at least a truce – between Russia and Ukraine
Terrorist acts that target innocent civilians spark global shock and horror, whatever people’s differences. One that still reverberates around the world days later is the shooting massacre in suburban Moscow on the most vulnerable of targets – an unsuspecting concert crowd. The music venue also caught fire and was gutted.
The death toll has risen towards 140, with 180 injured to varying degrees. Such a horrible attack deserves the condemnation heaped on it by world leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a national day of mourning for the victims of a “barbaric” act and vowed retribution for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers.
He said the four gunmen were radical Islamists and maintained they were fleeing towards Ukrainian enemy territory when caught. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly denied any connection.
President Xi Jinping was among the first to send condolences for the bereaved and sympathy for the injured, as he condemned terrorism in any form. The UN Security Council called the attack heinous, cowardly and reprehensible.
3 of 4 suspects charged in Russia concert hall attack plead guilty
The four gunmen appeared in court where two admitted guilt. Seven others have also been arrested.
The attack in an outer suburb of Moscow could be repeated anywhere. It is a reminder, amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainty, that terrorism remains a threat to global peace and stability. There is no room for political or ideological differences to get in the way of a cooperative response from all nations.
Only through coordination of intelligence and security resources can terrorism be thwarted.
The attack was reminiscent of a an Islamic terrorist suicide bombing seven years ago at an Ariana Grande concert in England in which 22 fans died. It has sparked debate about intelligence services.
There are suggestions the police presence at the Moscow venue could have been stronger, especially since two weeks before the attack, the United States embassy had publicly alerted its citizens, and privately warned the Russian authorities, of “imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow”. The alert mentioned concerts.
Chinese students share harrowing accounts of ‘chaotic’ Moscow shooting
The alleged escape link to Ukraine in the latest atrocity could not make relations between two countries at war any worse. It certainly does nothing for Chinese special envoy Li Hui’s latest round of talks in Kyiv, Moscow and European capitals to broker peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. But a truce followed by talks remain the best hope for averting more loss of life and suffering.
Fallout from an evil terrorist act must not be allowed to end those efforts.
