Turkish Intelligence thwarts planned second terror attack in Moscow - media

Turkish intelligence services have played a crucial role in preventing a second devastating terrorist attack in Moscow, following the recent assault on the Crocus City Hall shopping center.

According to newspaper Hürriyet, Turkish special services successfully intercepted plans by militants of the Wilayat Khorasan group, an affiliate of the Islamic State, to strike a crowded shopping center in the Russian capital, TASS reports.

"After the first attack on the concert hall, the terrorist group planned a second attack. They were going to attack a crowded shopping center. Turkish intelligence prevented this second major terrorist attack by contacting Moscow," wrote Hande Fırat, a columnist for Hürriyet.

The Wilayat Khorasan group, banned in Russia, has been under Turkish surveillance for some time. Their activities, including their involvement in previous attacks such as the one on the Catholic Church of St. Mary in Istanbul, have been closely monitored by Turkish security services. Following diligent investigation and cooperation, Turkish authorities were able to establish contact with their Russian counterparts, alerting them to the imminent threat.

The newspaper noted that two of the perpetrators involved in the Moscow Region shopping center attack had recently visited Türkiye, prompting Turkish authorities to share this critical information with Russian law enforcement agencies.