A huge manhunt was launched for surviving members and accomplices after the brutal massacre on Friday.
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In the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, French police have reportedly raided 168 different locations across the country and detained 23 people.
France has been on high alert since the Charlie Hebdo series of attacks in January, keeping its security system at the highest level and deploying 10,000 soldiers across the country to ensure security, mainly of sensitive places such as religious centers.
In one raid on the house of the parents of a suspect, police found military fatigues and a rocket launcher in addition to more bullet proof vests and automatic handguns.
In memory of the victims, the 28 member states of the European Union will join France in a minute of silence Monday at noon Paris time, and President Obama ordered that the US flag fly at half-staff all week.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has confirmed that the searches were on suspected Islamists and connected to the attacks.
The jets launched from sites in Jordan and the Persian Gulf, in co-ordination with U.S. forces. In addition to those killed, the attacks wounded 350 people, 99 of them seriously. “The more that happens, the more French Muslims feel alienated and are susceptible to extremist recruitment”.
After arriving in Paris Monday night, Kerry said ultimately, ISIS and all who share their “despicable ideology” would be defeated.
Amimour was placed under judicial supervision, but dropped off authorities’ radar in 2013 and an global arrest warrant was issued.
Meanwhile the hunt for the Salah Abdeslam – the man considered by French police to be the eighth attacker, goes on.
At least one key suspect is on the loose. His brother was arrested over the weekend.
By then, hours had passed since authorities identified Abdeslam as the renter of a Volkswagen Polo that carried hostage takers to the Paris theatre where so many died.
Besides the closing of mosques, MSNBC also reported that French Minister of Justice Christiane Taubira announced that all the attackers are dead.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Front Party, tweeted out a hashtag that translates to “IslamicTerrorist” following the attacks as other leaders have urged for a reevaluation of the European migrant crisis. The suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks has been named as Abdelhamid Abaaoud, according to the AP.
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Panic ensued on Sunday night as police abruptly cleared hundreds of mourners from the famed Place de la Republique square, where police said firecrackers sparked a false alarm. “The sirens and screaming are a source of fear”.
