Paris Bombings: Attack on the City of Lights
People gather to pay respect for the victims of a terror attack against a satirical newspaper, in Paris, in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. Masked gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar!” stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper Wednesday, killing 12 people, including the paper’s editor, before escaping in a getaway car. It was France’s deadliest terror attack in living memory. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
December 4, 2015
The Paris attacks on Friday, November 13, 2015 have been considered the deadliest event in France since World War II, leaving 129 innocent people dead and many more injured.
The first initial strike occurred at 9:20 pm; there were 4 attacks following this. The attacks then moved to Paris where a group of gun men opened fire at the Petit Cambodge restaurant and the Carillion Bar across the street, killing 15 people.
The following attack at Rue de la Fontaine Au Roi occurred when the same set of terrorist’s (from previous attacks) drove 500 yards to then attack a pizzeria, killing at least 5 people.
Around 9:35 pm, the terrorists drove about a mile south to launch an attack at La Belle Equipe Bar in Rue de Charonne, killing another 19 people.
The next attack was the most deadly. The shooting and the bombing at the Balachan concert left 89 people dead.
This attack was carried out by gunmen with AK-47’s and suicidal vests. Over 1,500 people were enjoying their Friday night at an Eagles of Death Metal when they were attacked. This lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, ending at 12:30 am. People had played dead, hidden in cupboards and other places to take cover. Officer Jean said “They came out like zombies… They could hardly walk.” As many as 20 people were held hostage and were rushed out by the police unit.
Also, at around 9:50 pm, there was another shot at a McDonald’s restaurant near the stadium Stade de France, scaring the spectators who had already been on their way out due to the previous gunshots and bombings.
These attacks have been considered the deadliest attacks on France since World War 2.
As of November 1st, 7 suspected terrorists had been killed and dead. The top suspect, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was confirmed dead during a police raid in the suburbs of Paris early Wednesday.
The police unit is still in search for possible terrorists, Salah Abdeslam being one of them.
Like other bombings and attacks like this one, there were anonymous threats. There was a threat declaring war on ISIS. During a video posted on YouTube, an anonymous person said, “You should know we will find you and not let you go. We will launch the biggest operation ever against you.” These threats are still under way.
The American military provided information to help French warplanes bomb Islamic State in Northern Syria. President Obama is searching for ways to step up war against the terrorist group which expanded beyond its area in Iraq and Syria.
Senior administration said Obama is trying to do more of what he has already done, just do it better. This possibly includes more airstrikes, special operation raids, attacks against Islamic state targets outside of Syria and Iraq, and assistance to launch allies.
The lights of the Eiffel tower were turned off the night of the attack, leaving the city looking as dull as all the lives of those traumatized by the incident. The lights haven’t been turned off since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Leaving the citizens of Paris shaken up and mournful, the 2015 bombings have changed the future for not only us, but the Islamic states as well.