Solidarity With Paris
The self-styled Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks committed in Paris on Nov. 13. Eight assailants forming three coordinated teams targeted the Stade de France and the Bataclan concert hall among other sites. Current death tolls report that the suicide bombings and shootings killed 132 victims and wounded over 350. The President of France, Francois Hollande, has declared the attacks an “act of war” and vowed to “destroy” IS. He has authorized local authorities to impose curfews and requested that the state of emergency that was declared immediately after the attacks now be extended to three months.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls spoke on French radio, stating that the “Islamic State cannot win this war against us, but this terrorist organization is seeking to weaken us, divide us.” German President Joachim Gauck echoes this sentiment, saying, “We’ll bow our heads to the dead, but we’ll never bow to terror.”
Iconic monuments across the world in Tokyo, London, New York City, Rio, Caracas, Geneva, Mumbai, Egypt, and Sarajevo, among others, have been illuminated with the French flag to express solidarity with Paris. 430 million individuals in more than 200 countries have participated in spreading awareness and sympathy with victims. Jean Julien’s “Peace for Paris” logo has become a popular symbol in this wave of support.
The French military, previously wary of strengthening Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by killing his enemies, has been mobilized to carry out airstrikes in IS’s self-proclaimed capital in Raqqa, Syria.
Many fear that the Syrian passport found near the body of one of the attackers – which was registered when passing through Leros, Greece in October – will affect the refugee crisis as well. European Commissioner Jean Claude Juncker cautions that this finding should not influence the refugee acceptance policies of EU countries.
IS has since released two propaganda videos from Iraq which celebrate the Paris attacks. It has also threatened an attack on Washington, DC. Moreover, an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers has been called for this coming Friday. Investigations into Friday’s attacks and those connected continues.
The Caravel will continue to monitor the situation in Paris as it unfolds and will provide updates and commentary as more information becomes available.