IsIs has repeatedly stated that terrorists in their respective countries are responsible for acts of terror in various countries, but experts suspect that these are often attempts to attribute attacks by other groups to create the impression that the IS has more influence than in reality - emphasizes the AP agency.
In attack in Ahwaz - according to Iranian state media, referring to "well-informed sources" in the authorities - killed at least 24 people, including a dozen or so soldiers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and 53 people were injured.
Contrary to IS's declaration, both the media and the authorities in Iran blame the Saturday incident on regional Arab separatists from the Arab Fight Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz - emphasizes AP. This anti-government organization, according to the authorities, financed by the Iranian enemy - Saudi Arabia, admitted the attack.
The attackers aimed at the tribune, where representatives of the authorities gathered to observe the parade organized on the anniversary of the beginning of the Iraqi-Iranian war of 1980-1988. The attack lasted about 10 minutes. Fars agency reports that the observers of the parade initially considered the shooting as part of the staging. - After several people were injured, they realized that it was a terrorist attack - writes the agency.
- There are many victims among civilians, including women and children, observers of the parade - Irna agency wrote, citing an anonymous source in the authorities.
Earlier, 11 soldiers were killed and over 30 injured.
Four attackers dressed in military uniforms fired at the people who gathered on the parade. Two of them shot the security services, the others were arrested, the BBC said.
An anti-government organization called Arab Fighting for the Liberation of Ahwaz admitted the attack.
Suspicions in connection with the attack
Earlier, a high figure in the Iranian armed forces recognized that Saturday's attack was "a continuation of the activities of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria," says Reuters. State media was associated with assassination with Sunni militias or Arab nationalists. Foreign Minister of Iran, Javad Zarif, said that "terrorists supported by foreign regimes" are responsible for the attack.
"Terrorists recruited, trained, armed and paid by a foreign regime attacked Ahwaz, Iran will answer promptly and resolutely in defense of the Iranians' lives," the minister wrote on Twitter. He blamed the countries of the region and their "American champions" for the attack. Reuters points out that usually in this way, the rulers in Iran refer to Israel and Saudi Arabia.
photo from the whole event:
