Late Friday evening, around 9:20pm CET (Central European Time), the first of many acts of terror occurred outside the Stade de France stadium in Paris. Inside the stadium, which holds 81,000 people, President Francois Hollande was attending the France versus Germany football game. After the second of three loud blasts which took place within earshot of the stadium, later confirmed to be suicide bombers, the President was rushed to safety. This was only the start of the massacre, the blame for which currently falls on the Islamic terrorist group, ISIS.
Following the suicide missions, during which, no one was reportedly physically harmed but the bombers, gunfire was opened at three separate locations (a bar, pizzeria, and restaurant) in the Rue Ailbert--a popular nightlife section in the city, not far from the Place de la Republique. The gunman was merciless and shooting. Mark Colclough, a witness to the attack, reported to the Guardian, “He was left handed and shooting in bursts of three or four shots. It was fully intentional, professional bursts of three or four shots.” These attacks, which all took place within four minutes, left at least 17 people dead.
The next reports of shootings were in same district as the Rue Ailbert attacks. Eyewitnesses report that two men mercilessly opened fire at the terrace of a cafe/bar for what seemed to be a minimum of three minutes. This assault was the second deadliest of the night claiming at least 19 lives.
The deadliest attack of the night took place at the Bataclan Hall, also in the same district, only eleven minutes following the previous attack. At 1,500 person concert venue the Eagles of Death Metal was playing a sold-out concert. Mercilessly wielding AK-47s, four men entered the Hall from the back. Witnesses claim that at least one of the men was calling the jihadist cry, "Allahu Akbar" (an Islamic phrase translating to “God is greater), as well as shouting “This is for Syria.” The firing of several rounds took at least 82 lives at the Hall. Although some were able to escape, others were not, resulting in a hostage crisis. About two hours following the start of the crisis, french security forces stormed the hall where they fatal shot one of the terrorists, while the three others employed their suicide belts. A short four minutes later the final suicide explosion occurred outside the football stadium. And, finally, there was a shooting very close to Bataclan, at boulevard Beaumarchais. It is unclear if this shooting had an casualties.
Overall there were eight attackers, all of which are dead. As of now there are 127 reported casualties, and 300 wounded with at least 80 in critical condition. France is currently in a state of emergency, with limited international travel. The residence are being told to stay indoors unless outside movement is crucial. This is the second attack on Paris by ISIS this year, following the Charlie Hebdo shooting in January which took the lives of 12 individuals and wounded 11. And, the second worst terrorist attack in Europe since 2004 when train bombings killed 191 people in Madrid.
Many are asking “Why Paris?” France has not been hesitant to campaign against ISIS. Just last week the French forces held air strike attacking oil operations in Syria which are under Islamic State control. One witness at Bataclan Hall, who was shot in the foot, told BFM Television that “She heard one of the men shout, ‘What you are doing in Syria, you are going to pay for it now.” ISIS has responded to the national outcry saying that France will remain one of its top targets. Thanks to the SITE Intelligence Group, here is part of the statement released by ISIS in wake of the recent massacre: “Let France and those who walk in its path know that they will remain on the top of the list of targets of the Islamic State, and that the smell of death will never leave their nose as long as they lead the convoy of the Crusader campaign, and dare to curse our Prophet [...] This attack is the first of the storm and a warning to those who wish to learn.”
Could this be the start of another World War? Only time will tell. For now, we mourn with Paris.
This day will go down in history.
