MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Moscow condemns Sunday’s terrorist attacks in Syria that killed more than 130 people, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Commenting on Sunday’s terrorist attacks in Syria’s Damascus and Homs, the foreign ministry’s information and press department said in a statement: "Moscow decisively condemns terrorists’ inhuman attacks. We convey sincerest condolences to the families of those killed and wish soonest recovery to those injured."
The foreign ministry reminded that large-scale terrorist attacks were carried out in Syria on February 21. "In particular, a triple attack with a car bombing and two suicide bombings was carried out in the southern suburbs of Damascus that are home to Shias, and two cars bombs exploded in the city of Homs. As a result, according to media reports, more than 130 people died and around 300 more were injured. Among the victims of the crimes are children, women and the elderly," the ministry said.
The Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization banned in Russia claimed responsibility for the attacks. "Such horrendous crimes require a principled reaction from the international community," the foreign ministry noted. "It is important to put a reliable barrier on the way of IS, Jebhat al-Nusra and other terrorist groups that want to further aggravate the situation in Syria and around it by betting on further inciting sectarian strife," the statement added.
The foreign ministry noted that "barbaric crimes of extremists aim to intimidate civilians, disrupt attempts of reaching a long-term political settlement of the Syrian crisis in the interests of all Syrians and efforts to stop violence and bloodshed."
Islamic State extremist organization
The Islamic State is an extremist organization banned in Russia. In 2013-2014, it called itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In June 2014, IS announced the establishment of the "Islamic caliphate" on the territories seized in Iraq and Syria. According to US Central Intelligence Agency, the extremist group includes around 30,000 people, while Iraqi authorities claim there are around 200,000 in IS. Among members of the group are citizens of 80 countries, including France, Great Britain, Germany, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, US, Canada, as well as Russia and other CIS countries. According to reports, militants now control around 40% of the Iraqi territory and 50% of the Syrian territory.