November 2015 Paris attacks Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Perpetrators== {{see also|Brussels ISIL terror cell}} Three groups, comprising three men each, executed the attacks.<ref name="CoordinatedAttacks" /><ref name="Nossiter Breeden Bennhold 2015"/> They wore explosive vests and belts with identical detonators.<ref name=LATimes>{{cite news|last1=Mozingo|first1=Joe|last2=Serrano|first2=Richard A.|last3=Chu|first3=Henry|last4=Finnegan|first4=Michael|title=As Paris reels from night of terror, investigators seek origin of attackers|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-paris-attacks-20151114-story.html|access-date=15 November 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115003305/http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-paris-attacks-20151114-story.html|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Seven perpetrators died at the scenes of their attacks.<ref name="GuardNov15_2"/><ref name="love_2015-11-17_reuters">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/france-shooting-identities-idUSKCN0T60J220151117#t3Dl440AqJGte5Kt.97|title=Factbox – Dead killers, hunted suspects after Paris attacks|last1=Love|first1=Brian|last2=Labbe|first2=Chine|editor1-last=Callus|editor1-first=Andrew|editor2-last=King|editor2-first=Larry |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=17 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117202523/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/17/france-shooting-identities-idUSKCN0T60J220151117|archive-date=17 November 2015|quote=list of some of the seven attackers who died [...] '''Ismail Omar Mostefai''', 29 (born 21 Nov. 1985), Frenchman of Algerian descent involved in Bataclan concert hall attack [...] '''Samy Amimour''', 28 (born 15 Oct. 1987), involved in Bataclan attack. French, from Drancy, Saint Denis, north of Paris [...] '''Brahim Abdeslam''', 31 (born 30 July 1984),[...] French, resident of Belgium. Blew himself up at Comptoir Voltaire café in Paris. [...] '''Bilal Hadfi''', 20 (born 22 Jan 1995). Involved in Stade de France attack. [...] Suicide bomber involved in Stade de France attack. Passport found beside dead body of kamikaze bomber carries name of '''Ahmad Al Mohammad''', 25, (born 10 Sept. 1990), from Idlib, northwest Syria.}}</ref> The other two were killed five days later during the [[2015 Saint-Denis raid|Saint-Denis police raid]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=An overview of forensic operations performed following the terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, in Paris |first1=Antoine |last1=Tracqui |first2=Céline |last2=Deguette |first3=Tania |last3=Delabarde |first4=Yann |last4=Delannoy |first5=Isabelle |last5=Plu |first6=Isabelle |last6=Sec |first7=Lilia |last7=Hamza |first8=Marc |last8=Taccoen |first9=Bertrand |last9=Ludes |date=2 November 2020 |pages=202–207 |journal=Forensic Sciences Research |volume=5 |issue=3 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis Online]]|doi=10.1080/20961790.2020.1811487 |pmid=33209503 |pmc=7646576 }}</ref> On 14 November, ISIL claimed responsibility for the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1730283-20151114-direct-attentats-paris-plus-120-tueshuit-terroristes-morts-attentats|title=Attentats à Paris: Le groupe Etat islamique revendique les attaques de vendredi à Paris|work=20 Minutes|access-date=14 November 2015|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115234737/http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1730283-20151114-direct-attentats-paris-plus-120-tueshuit-terroristes-morts-attentats|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/14/l-etat-islamique-revendique-les-attentats-de-vendredi-a-paris_1413412|title=L'Etat islamique revendique les attentats de vendredi à Paris|work=[[Libération|liberation]].fr|access-date=14 November 2015|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116132549/http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/14/l-etat-islamique-revendique-les-attentats-de-vendredi-a-paris_1413412|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2015/11/14/9734794/isis-claim-paris-statement|title=Here is ISIS's statement claiming responsibility for the Paris attacks|author=Max Fisher|work=Vox|date=14 November 2015|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116020104/http://www.vox.com/2015/11/14/9734794/isis-claim-paris-statement|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/waleed-aly-hits-out-at-isis-over-paris-attacks-calls-them-weak/story-fn948wjf-1227611388541|title=Waleed Aly hits out at ISIS over Paris attacks, calls them weak|work=[[The Project (Australian TV program)|The Project]]|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116132857/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/waleed-aly-hits-out-at-isis-over-paris-attacks-calls-them-weak/story-fn948wjf-1227611388541|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> François Hollande said ISIL organised the attacks with help from inside France.<ref name="thomsonreutersfoundation"/> Claimed motives were an ideological objection to Paris as a capital of abomination and perversion,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Financial Times|date=14 November 2015|title=Paris attacks: Bloody atrocity signals shift in Isis strategy|access-date=14 November 2015|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/f2135be4-8ac5-11e5-a549-b89a1dfede9b.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115234623/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/f2135be4-8ac5-11e5-a549-b89a1dfede9b.html|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> retaliation for airstrikes on ISIL in Syria and Iraq,<ref name=Guardian1>{{cite news|last1=Elgot|first1=Jessica|last2=Phipps|first2=Claire|last3=Bucks|first3=Jonathan|date=14 November 2015|title=Paris attacks: Islamic State says killings were response to Syria strikes|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/14/paris-terror-attacks-attackers-dead-mass-killing-live-updates|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=14 November 2015|quote=The group says the killings were in response to airstrikes against its militants in Syria, adding that France would remain a "key target".|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114091550/http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/14/paris-terror-attacks-attackers-dead-mass-killing-live-updates|archive-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Foreign relations of France#François Hollande|foreign policy of Hollande]] in relation to Muslims worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/paris-attacks-live-updates/this-is-because-of-all-the-harm-done-by-hollande-to-muslims/|title=This is because of all the harm done by Hollande to Muslims|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 November 2015|access-date=3 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313043454/https://www.nytimes.com/live/paris-attacks-live-updates/this-is-because-of-all-the-harm-done-by-hollande-to-muslims/|archive-date=13 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after the attacks, ISIL's media organ, the [[Al-Hayat Media Group]], launched a website on the [[dark web]] extolling the organisation and recommending the encrypted instant messaging service [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ragan|first=Steve|url=http://www.csoonline.com/article/3004648/security-awareness/after-paris-isis-moves-propaganda-machine-to-darknet.html|title=After Paris, ISIS moves propaganda machine to Darknet|date=15 November 2015|publisher=CSO Online|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117092304/http://www.csoonline.com/article/3004648/security-awareness/after-paris-isis-moves-propaganda-machine-to-darknet.html|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://krypt3ia.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/the-first-official-daesh-darknet-bulletin-board-has-arrived/|title=The First Official Da'esh DARKNET Bulletin Board Has Arrived|publisher=Krypt3ia.wordpress.com|date=13 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117044500/https://krypt3ia.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/the-first-official-daesh-darknet-bulletin-board-has-arrived/|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Fabien Clain]] released an audio recording the day before the attacks in which he personally claimed responsibility for the attacks. Clain is known to intelligence services as a veteran jihadist belonging to ISIL, and of French nationality.<ref>P. Cruickshank – [http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/03/europe/salah-abdeslam-cold-trail-paris-attacks/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413012117/http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/03/europe/salah-abdeslam-cold-trail-paris-attacks/|date=13 April 2016}} published by [[CNN]], 4 December 2015, retrieved 4 December 2015.</ref> [[Syrian passport|Syrian]] and [[Egyptian passport|Egyptian]] passports were found near the bodies of two of the perpetrators at two attack sites,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-gunman-france-idUKKCN0T30YU20151114|title=Paris concert gunman was French, known to have Islamist ties – source |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=14 November 2015|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023952/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/14/uk-france-shooting-gunman-france-idUKKCN0T30YU20151114|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> but Egyptian authorities said the passport belonged to a victim, Aleed Abdel-Razzak, and not one of the perpetrators.<ref>{{cite web|title=Passport of Egyptian man belongs to victim, not attacker, officials say|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/passport-of-egyptian-man-belongs-to-victim-not-attacker-officials-say/|website=The Times of Israel|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014857/http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/passport-of-egyptian-man-belongs-to-victim-not-attacker-officials-say/|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> By 16 November, the focus of the French and Belgian investigation turned to [[Abdelhamid Abaaoud]], the radical jihadist they believed was the leader of the plot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/17/world/europe/paris-terror-attack.html|title=Hollande Calls for New Powers to 'Eradicate' ISIS After Paris Attacks|author=Aurelien Breeden, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura and Katrin Bennhold|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 November 2015|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116214046/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/17/world/europe/paris-terror-attack.html|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Abaaoud had escaped to Syria<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/world/europe/paris-attacks.html |title=Paris Attacks Suspect Was Target of Strikes on ISIS in Syria|author1=Aurelien Breeden|author2=Katrin Bennhold|author3=Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura|name-list-style=amp|newspaper=The New York Times|date=17 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020113018/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/18/world/europe/paris-attacks.html |archive-date=20 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/abdelhamid-abaaoud-suspected-mastermind-of-paris-terror-attacks|title=Abdelhamid Abaaoud: what we know about the Paris attacks 'mastermind'|last1=Halliday|first1=Josh|last2=Bucks|first2=Jonathan|date=18 November 2015|website=The Guardian|access-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120032613/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/abdelhamid-abaaoud-suspected-mastermind-of-paris-terror-attacks|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> after having been suspected in other plots in Belgium and France, including the thwarted [[2015 Thalys train attack]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1588480/suspected-mastermind-of-paris-attacks-named|title=Suspected Mastermind of Paris Attacks Named|publisher=Sky News|date=16 November 2015|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116135935/http://news.sky.com/story/1588480/suspected-mastermind-of-paris-attacks-named|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Abaaoud had recruited an extensive network of accomplices, including two brothers, Brahim Abdeslam and [[Salah Abdeslam]], to execute terrorist attacks; Abaaoud was killed in the Saint-Denis raid on 18 November.<ref name="wpost-2015-11-18">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2-attack-suspects-in-dead-after-french-police-raid-north-of-paris/2015/11/18/a2b6d52e-8d6a-11e5-934c-a369c80822c2_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-banner-high_paris%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|title=Suspected architect of Paris attacks is dead, according to two senior intelligence officials|author1=Anthony Faiola, Missy Ryan|author2=Souad Mekhennet|name-list-style=amp|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=18 November 2015|access-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118124042/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2-attack-suspects-in-dead-after-french-police-raid-north-of-paris/2015/11/18/a2b6d52e-8d6a-11e5-934c-a369c80822c2_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-banner-high_paris%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|archive-date=18 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="msn-2015-11-18">{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/suspected-architect-of-paris-attacks-is-dead-according-to-two-senior-intelligence-officials/ar-BBn9MAB?li=AAa0dzB&o|title=Suspected architect of Paris attacks is dead, according to two senior intelligence officials|author1=Anthony Faiola, Missy Ryan|author2=Daniela Deane|name-list-style=amp|publisher=MSN|date=18 November 2015|access-date=18 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119073710/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/suspected-architect-of-paris-attacks-is-dead-according-to-two-senior-intelligence-officials/ar-BBn9MAB?li=AAa0dzB&ocid=iehp|archive-date=19 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=tgam20151119>{{cite news|last=Reguly|first=Eric|date=19 November 2015|title=Two dead, eight arrested after police raid Paris apartment in hunt for suspects|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/two-dead-as-french-police-raid-home-in-hunt-for-terror-suspects/article27315632/|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto, Canada|access-date=19 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119010251/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/two-dead-as-french-police-raid-home-in-hunt-for-terror-suspects/article27315632/|archive-date=19 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the Paris attackers were French and Belgian born citizens of Moroccan and Algerian backgrounds who crossed borders without difficulty, albeit registered as terrorism suspects.<ref name=eumin/> Two other attackers were Iraqi.<ref name=bbcapr2016/> According to the French prime minister, [[Manuel Valls]], several of the perpetrators had exploited Europe's immigration crisis to enter the continent undetected.<ref name=TheGuardianPMValls/> At least some, including the alleged leader Abdelhamid Abaaoud, had visited Syria and returned radicalised. [[Jean-Charles Brisard]], a French expert on terrorism, called this a change of paradigm, in that returning European citizens were themselves the attackers.<ref name="auto1"/> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that more than 3,000 Europeans have travelled to Syria and joined ISIL and other radical groups.<ref name="auto1"/><!-- article also found at http://www.sacbee.com/news/article45557136.html --> On 30 August 2016, jihadist [[Abu Mohammad al-Adnani]] was killed by an American missile and DGSI declared that his death ended the terrorist who had supervised the attacks on Brussels and Paris.<ref name="france1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20181108-france-intelligence-2015-paris-attacks-masterminds-eliminated-suc-book-islamic-state|title=How the planners of the 2015 Paris attacks were systematically eliminated – France 24|date=9 November 2018|work=France 24|access-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109231914/https://www.france24.com/en/20181108-france-intelligence-2015-paris-attacks-masterminds-eliminated-suc-book-islamic-state|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ===Search for accomplices=== Three cars were recovered in Paris after the attacks: # A grey [[Volkswagen Polo]] with Belgian licence plates abandoned near the Bataclan was hired by a French citizen living in Belgium and contained a parking ticket from the town of [[Molenbeek]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/15/parking-ticket-paris-attacks-police-belgium-molenbeek|title=A discarded parking ticket in a car near the Bataclan leads detectives to Brussels|work=The Guardian|date=15 November 2015|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115081045/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/15/parking-ticket-paris-attacks-police-belgium-molenbeek|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> # A [[SEAT]] was found in the Paris suburb of [[Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis|Montreuil]] on 15 November and contained assault rifles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1730715-20151115-attentats-paris|title=Attentats à Paris: La police lance un appel à témoins|language=FR|trans-title=Bombings in Paris: Police have appealed for witnesses|work=20 Minutes|date=15 November 2015|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126102656/http://www.20minutes.fr/societe/1730715-20151115-attentats-paris|archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> # A [[Renault Clio]] hired by [[Salah Abdeslam]] was discovered near [[Montmartre]] on 11 November and contained assault rifles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/17/world/paris-attacks|title=Prosecutor: 3 Paris attack suspects already known to Belgians|work=CNN|date=17 November 2015|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118045221/http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/17/world/paris-attacks/|archive-date=18 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-34840858|title=Paris attacks: Latest updates|work=BBC News|access-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117131840/http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-34840858|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Police described Salah, a 26-year-old Belgian citizen, as dangerous, and warned the public not to approach him.<ref>{{cite news|title=French officials: Manhunt in Europe for at least one suspect 'directly involved' in Paris attacks|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=15 November 2015|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/french-police-detain-7-for-questioning-in-paris-siegethe-latest-from-paris/2015/11/15/7600c208-8b38-11e5-bd91-d385b244482f_story.html|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115214850/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/french-police-detain-7-for-questioning-in-paris-siegethe-latest-from-paris/2015/11/15/7600c208-8b38-11e5-bd91-d385b244482f_story.html|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He was arrested on 18 March 2016 during [[2016 Brussels police raids|an anti-terrorist raid]] in the [[Molenbeek]] area of Brussels (see [[#2016 Brussels raids|below]]).<ref name="BBC 18 Mar 2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35846954 |title=Brussels raids: Paris attack suspect Abdeslam 'arrested' |work=[[BBC World Service]] |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=18 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318164827/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35846954 |archive-date=18 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> His brother, Brahim, died in the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/europe/paris-terror-attack.html|title=Manhunt Underway as Investigation of Paris Attacks Widens|author1=Aurelien Breeden|author2=Michael Nossiter|name-list-style=amp|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 November 2015|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115165436/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/world/europe/paris-terror-attack.html|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Another brother, Mohamed, was detained on 14 November in the Molenbeek area of Brussels and released after several hours of questioning.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-attacks-mohamed-abdeslam-salah-abdeslam-fleeing-suspect-bataclan-a6736871.html|title=Salah Abdeslam's brother denies involvement in Paris attacks and says he has no idea where his brother is|author=Doug Bolton|newspaper=The Independent|date=16 November 2015|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033707/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-attacks-mohamed-abdeslam-salah-abdeslam-fleeing-suspect-bataclan-a6736871.html|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Mohamed said he did not suspect his siblings of planning anything.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=France begins to work out the identities of the Paris attackers|url=https://www.economist.com/news/europe/21678714-president-hollande-vows-destroy-islamic-state-france-begins-work-out-identities|access-date=18 November 2015|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118083735/http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21678714-president-hollande-vows-destroy-islamic-state-france-begins-work-out-identities|archive-date=18 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 November, a car was stopped at the Belgium–France border and its three occupants were questioned then released. Three more people were arrested in Molenbeek.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/14/paris-terror-attacks-live-news-updates-isis-france|title=Paris terror attacks: vigils held around the world as Parisians remain on edge – live updates|work=The Guardian|date=14 November 2015|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114181826/http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/nov/14/paris-terror-attacks-live-news-updates-isis-france|archive-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Links to the attacks were investigated in an arrest in Germany on 5 November, when police stopped a 51-year-old man from Montenegro and found automatic handguns, hand grenades and explosives in his car.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bavaria arrest raises suspicions about links to Paris attacks|url=http://www.dw.com/en/bavaria-arrest-raises-suspicions-about-links-to-paris-attacks/a-18849866|website=DW.COM|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114145728/http://www.dw.com/en/bavaria-arrest-raises-suspicions-about-links-to-paris-attacks/a-18849866|archive-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 15–16 November, French tactical police units raided over 200 locations in France, arresting 23 people and seizing weapons.<ref name="Airstrikes against ISIS, Police Raids"/> Another 104 people were placed under house arrest.<ref>{{cite news|title=Terror in Paris: What we know so far|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/europe/paris-attacks-at-a-glance/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116102745/http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/europe/paris-attacks-at-a-glance/index.html|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34840699|title=Paris attacks: France mobilises 115,000 security personnel|work=BBC News|date=17 November 2015|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424062639/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34840699|archive-date=24 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 November, police followed a female cousin of the attacker and ringleader, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, to a block of flats in Saint-Denis where they saw Abaaoud with her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-idUKKCN0T40DY20151121|title=Tapped phone led Paris attack leader to his death|last1=Thomas|first1=Leigh|last2=Bon|first2=Gerard|date=21 November 2015 |publisher=[[Reuters]] UK |access-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121035051/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/21/uk-france-shooting-idUKKCN0T40DY20151121|archive-date=21 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hasna Ait Boulahcen – Europe's first female suicide bomber – 'did not blow herself up'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-paris-attacks-hasna-ait-boulahcen-did-not-blow-herself-in-saint-denis-raid-a6742666.html|author=Samuel Osborne|work=The Independent|date=20 November 2015|access-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120194304/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-paris-attacks-hasna-ait-boulahcen-did-not-blow-herself-in-saint-denis-raid-a6742666.html|archive-date=20 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, police [[2015 Saint-Denis raid|raided a flat in Saint-Denis]], and Abaaoud was killed in the ensuing gunfight, which lasted several hours.<ref name="wpost-2015-11-18"/><ref name="msn-2015-11-18"/><ref name=tgam20151119/> Chakib Akrouh, one of the perpetrators of the restaurant shootings, also died during the raid after detonating an explosive vest.<ref name=ChakibAkrouh>{{cite news|title=French identify another Paris attacker via DNA from body parts|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-cafekiller-idUKKCN0UT1E4 |publisher=[[Reuters]] UK |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118035719/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-cafekiller-idUKKCN0UT1E4|archive-date=18 January 2016|url-status=live|last1=Bon|first1=Gérard}}</ref> Eight suspected militants were arrested at or near the flat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/fait-divers/hasna-aitboulahcen-identifiee-parmi-les-trois-morts-de-l-assaut-de-saint-denis_1737918.html|title=Hasna Aitboulahcen est morte dans l'assaut, mais elle n'était pas kamikaze|language=fr|trans-title=Hasna Aitboulahcen died in the assault, but she was not a kamikaze|work=lexpress.fr|date=20 November 2015|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125125037/http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/societe/fait-divers/hasna-aitboulahcen-identifiee-parmi-les-trois-morts-de-l-assaut-de-saint-denis_1737918.html|archive-date=25 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 November, an explosive belt was found in a litter bin in the Paris suburb of [[Montrouge]]. It may have been discarded by Salah Abdeslam, whose phone records showed that he was in Montrouge on the night of the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-idUKKBN0TC2C020151123|title=France finds explosive belt, detects Paris suspect's phone |publisher=[[Reuters]] UK |date=23 November 2015|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> On 24 November, five people in Belgium were charged on suspicion of their involvement in the Paris attacks, and Belgian prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Mohamed Abrini, a 30-year-old suspected accomplice of Salah Abdeslam.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34908858|title=Hollande and Obama to intensify anti-IS push|date=24 November 2015|access-date=24 November 2015|publisher=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124151704/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34908858|archive-date=24 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Abrini was subsequently reported to have been arrested on 8 April 2016.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36000407|title=Paris attacks: 'Key suspect Abrini' arrested|work=BBC News |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408153019/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36000407|archive-date=8 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He is also suspected of having been involved in the [[2016 Brussels bombings]].<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> On 9 December, two ISIL militants accompanying two of the Paris attackers into Europe, all masquerading as migrants, were arrested in Greece weeks before the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/how-europes-migrant-crisis-became-an-opportunity-for-isis/2016/04/21/ec8a7231-062d-4185-bb27-cc7295d35415_story.html|title=Tracing the path of four terrorists sent to Europe by the Islamic State|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=21 April 2016|access-date=5 September 2016|first1=Anthony|last1=Faiola|first2=Souad|last2=Mekhennet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012140330/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/how-europes-migrant-crisis-became-an-opportunity-for-isis/2016/04/21/ec8a7231-062d-4185-bb27-cc7295d35415_story.html|archive-date=12 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=DailyTelegraph.Captured>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/05/mystery-member-of-paris-attacks-cell-only-captured-in-july-despi/|title=Mystery member of Paris attacks cell only captured in July despite posting on Facebook from Belgium|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=5 September 2016|access-date=5 September 2016|first=Henry|last=Samuel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906075158/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/05/mystery-member-of-paris-attacks-cell-only-captured-in-july-despi/|archive-date=6 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2016, a third militant involved was also arrested despite regular activity on Facebook from Belgium.<ref name=DailyTelegraph.Captured/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/report-isis-had-bigger-plans-000000943.html|title=Report: ISIS had bigger plans for Paris attacks|work=Yahoo! News|date=5 September 2016|access-date=5 September 2016|first=Caitlin|last=Dickson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906002409/https://www.yahoo.com/news/report-isis-had-bigger-plans-000000943.html|archive-date=6 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The three militants were part of a unit intended to carry out further attacks on 13 November, but their plans were apparently disrupted by the first two arrests.<ref name=DailyTelegraph.Captured/> [[Fabien Clain]] was identified as the person reading the ISIL claim of responsibility. Clain was a French national who served 5 years from 2009 to 2014 in a French prison for recruiting fighters to go to Syria for jihad. Clain has been linked to other executed and planned terror attacks and is seen as a leader of known terrorists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/fr-ca/actualites/attaques-a-paris/fabien-clain-la-voix-de-l%C3%A9tat-islamique/ar-BBn7VxV?li=AAanjZr|title=Fabien Clain, la voix de l'État islamique|trans-title=Fabien Clain, the voice of the Islamic State|work=MSN|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085929/http://www.msn.com/fr-ca/actualites/attaques-a-paris/fabien-clain-la-voix-de-l%C3%A9tat-islamique/ar-BBn7VxV?li=AAanjZr|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> [[Jawad Bendaoud]] was arrested 18 November 2015 for "criminal terrorist association for the purpose of committing violent action", as he provided lodging for Abaaoud, Hasna Aït Boulahcen, and a third man. In September 2017, the prosecuting judge filed for Bendaoud's trial for "concealment of terrorist criminals", a charge with a maximum penalty of six years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Emeline Cazi|last2=Adrien Pécout|title=Jawad Bendaoud, a well known "landlord" in the streets of Saint-Denis|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/attaques-a-paris/article/2015/11/24/jawad-bendaoud-un-logeur-bien-connu-dans-les-rues-de-saint-denis_4816364_4809495.html|access-date=11 September 2017|work=Le Monde|date=24 November 2015|language=fr|quote=Since his arrest on Wednesday, November 18, Jawad Bendaoud insists that he did not know the identity of his three recent "tenants" of 8, rue du Corbillon: Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the alleged instigator of the attacks of November 13, his cousin Hasna Aït Boulahcen, as well as a third man with an unknown identity. All killed during the RAID assault.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115031/http://www.lemonde.fr/attaques-a-paris/article/2015/11/24/jawad-bendaoud-un-logeur-bien-connu-dans-les-rues-de-saint-denis_4816364_4809495.html|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Attentats à Paris: le "logeur" des djihadistes du 13 novembre 2015 échappe aux assises|url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_attentats-a-paris-le-logeur-des-djihadistes-du-13-novembre-2015-echappe-aux-assises?id=9703996|access-date=11 September 2017|work=RTBF|date=8 September 2018|language=fr|quote=In their order signed Wednesday, the investigating magistrates ordered that Jawad Bendaoud be tried for " concealment of terrorist criminals ", said the source, a crime punishable by a six-year prison sentence as he is in a state of recidivism .|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115435/https://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/detail_attentats-a-paris-le-logeur-des-djihadistes-du-13-novembre-2015-echappe-aux-assises?id=9703996|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> === Analysis of tactics === [[Michael Leiter]], former director of the United States [[National Counterterrorism Center]], said the attacks demonstrated a sophistication not seen in a city attack since the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] and that it would change how the West regarded the threat.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Engel|first1=Richard|last2=Schuppe|first2=Jon|title=Responsibility For Paris Terror Attacks Remains Unclear|date=14 November 2015 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/responsibility-paris-terror-attacks-remains-unclear-n463321|publisher=NBC News|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114021455/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/responsibility-paris-terror-attacks-remains-unclear-n463321|archive-date=14 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Further comparisons were made between the Paris and Mumbai attacks.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Riedel|first1=Bruce|title=Modeled on Mumbai? Why the 2008 India attack is the best way to understand Paris|date=14 November 2015 |url=http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2015/11/14-paris-attacks-mumbai-isis-terrorism-riedel|publisher=Brookings|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116150236/http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2015/11/14-paris-attacks-mumbai-isis-terrorism-riedel|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mehta|first1=Nalin|title=What we can learn from Paris|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/academic-interest/what-we-can-learn-from-paris/|access-date=15 November 2015|work=The Times of India|date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116155859/http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/academic-interest/what-we-can-learn-from-paris/|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hafeez|first1=Mateen|title=Why the 26/11 Mumbai strike and Paris attacks are similar|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Why-the-26/11-Mumbai-strike-and-Paris-attacks-are-similar/articleshow/49787443.cms|work=The Times of India|access-date=16 November 2015|date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917163024/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Why-the-26/11-Mumbai-strike-and-Paris-attacks-are-similar/articleshow/49787443.cms|archive-date=17 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mumbai Police]] Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Deven Bharti pointed out the similarities as having several targets, shooting indiscriminately, and the use of [[improvised explosive device]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gupta|first1=Saurabh|title=In Paris, Investigators See a Rerun of Mumbai Tragedy|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-paris-investigators-see-a-rerun-of-mumbai-tragedy-1243462|publisher=NDTV|access-date=16 November 2015|date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115111526/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-paris-investigators-see-a-rerun-of-mumbai-tragedy-1243462|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Sen|first1=Shawan|title=There is similarity between Mumbai 26/11 and Paris attacks: Mumbai Police|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/there-is-similarity-between-mumbai-2611-and-paris-1411-mumbai-police-1164424.html|publisher=CNN-IBN|access-date=16 November 2015|date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116011616/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/there-is-similarity-between-mumbai-2611-and-paris-1411-mumbai-police-1164424.html|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Bharti, one key difference was that the Mumbai attacks lasted several days, and the Paris attackers killed themselves as soon as capture seemed imminent.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Tabassum Barnagarwala|author2=Rashmi Rajput|title=Paris: In multiple attacks, targets, the timing, Mumbai victims, investigators see 26/11|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/paris-in-multiple-attacks-targets-the-timing-mumbai-victims-investigators-see-2611/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=16 November 2015|date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116120628/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/paris-in-multiple-attacks-targets-the-timing-mumbai-victims-investigators-see-2611/|archive-date=16 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Evidence points to the attackers having regularly used [[Plaintext|unencrypted]] communications during the planning of the attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2015/11/18/signs-point-to-unencrypted-communications-between-terror-suspects/|title=Signs Point to Unencrypted Communications Between Terror Suspects|work=The Intercept|date=18 November 2015|access-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118210147/https://theintercept.com/2015/11/18/signs-point-to-unencrypted-communications-between-terror-suspects/|archive-date=18 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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