France Raises Terror Alert Level After Moscow Attack
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - France’s government heightened its security alert warning to the highest level following the deadly attack at a Russian concert hall.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Sunday the decision to elevate the country's Vigipirate plan to its highest level, citing the Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) claim of responsibility for the Moscow attack and perceived threats to France.
The announcement followed President Emmanuel Macron's emergency security meeting prompted by Friday’s attack in a Moscow suburb that killed at least 137 people, according to Russian investigators.
The Daesh group's Afghan affiliate has claimed responsibility for the massacre, Europe's deadliest terrorist attack claimed by the terror group. However, Moscow has so far not confirmed their involvement.
According to France24, France's terror alert system has three levels, and the highest level is activated in the wake of an attack in the country or abroad or when a threat of one is considered to be imminent.
It allows for exceptional security measures such as stepped-up patrols by armed forces in public places like train stations, airports and religious sites.
France has repeatedly been hit by deadly terror attacks, including the Bataclan concert hall massacre in 2015 in which extremists opened fire on concert-goers and killed 17 people in Paris and its suburbs.
The government responded by enacting Operation Sentinel, which saw the deployment of armed soldiers to patrol the capital. In November of that year, France saw its deadliest terrorist attacks in recent memory, when suicide bombers and gunmen killed 130 people in Paris.
The country was already on high security alert ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this year, which are expected to draw millions of visitors to the country.
Security concerns are notably high for the exceptional opening ceremony on July 26, which will involve boats riding along the Seine River and huge crowds watching from the embankments.