The Islamic State terrorist
group has claimed responsibility for the series of attacks targeting young
concert-goers, soccer fans and Parisians enjoying a Friday night out at popular
nightspots killed at least 128 people in the deadliest violence to strike
France since World War II. French President Francois Hollande condemned it as
terrorism and pledged that France would stand firm against its foes. The worst
carnage was at a concert hall hosting an American rock band, where scores of
people were held hostage and attackers ended the standoff by detonating
explosive belts.
The Islamic
State released an undated video on Saturday threatening to attack France if
bombings of its fighters continue. "To teach France, and all nations
following its path, that they will remain at the top of Islamic State's list of
targets, and that the smell of death won't leave their noses as long as they
partake in their crusader campaign," said the group.
Earlier, on Saturday, French
President Mr. Hollande said the attacks were committed by Islamic State,
planned and organized from abroad with help from inside France. The attacks,
described by the President as an act of war, were designed to show the country
would remain in danger as long as it continued its current policies, Islamic
State said in a statement.
Paris Prosecutor Francois
Molins said as many as five attackers were killed, though it was not clear how
many there were altogether and how many, if any, were still at large.
The attack
unfolded with two suicide bombings and an explosion outside the national
stadium during a soccer match between the French and German national teams.
Within minutes, according to Paris police chief Michel Cadot, another group of
attackers sprayed cafes outside the concert hall with machine gunfire, then
stormed inside and opened fire on the panicked audience. As police closed in,
they detonated explosive belts, killing themselves.
A Syrian passport has been
found near the body of one of the suicide bombers who blew himself up on Friday
near a Paris soccer stadium, sources close the investigation of the deadly
attacks in Paris said.
In addition
to the deaths at the concert hall, dozens were killed in an attack on a
restaurant in the 10th arrondissement and several other establishments crowded
on a Friday night, police said. Authorities said at least three people died
when the bombs went off outside the soccer stadium.