Iraq condemns deadly Moscow concert hall attack

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq on Saturday condemned a deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall by gunmen who killed at least 60 people and injured over 100.

Gunmen in camouflage attacked the Crocus City hall in northern Moscow’s Krasnogorsk suburb where a rock concert was scheduled to take place. The attackers threw a grenade and opened fire, killing at least 60 people, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee. The health ministry said over 115 people were injured. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the terrorist attack that targeted civilians in the Russian suburb of Crocus City and led to a large number of casualties,” said a statement from Iraq’s foreign ministry. 

The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its fighters attacked “a large gathering” on the outskirts of Moscow “before they withdrew to their bases safely.” 

Baghdad also “extends its condolences and sympathies to the Russian government and the families of the victims and expresses its best wishes for the wounded,” the statement added. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on the attack. 

The international community condemned the attack, while Ukraine, which has been under a Russian invasion for over two years, said it had “nothing to do” with it. 

The United States said it had passed to Russian authorities a prior warning about the possibility of terrorist attacks targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow.