The carnage of Friday, November 13th in Paris : a worldwide symbol attacked

On Friday November 13th, Paris suffered several simultaneous terrorist attacks organized by ISIS. One hundred thirty people were killed and 352 injured in attacks by three coordinated groups of suicide bombers who targeted popular gathering places : the Canal Saint-Martin, Boulevard Voltaire, Rue de Charonne, the French National Stadium and the Bataclan concert hall, where 90 people were killed. These horrific bloodbaths in places known for fun and relaxation, with one unique aim : to blindly kill the greatest number of people. By attacking these landmarks, Daesh lashed out at the French capital, known worldwide as a symbol of liberty and culture. The events of Friday 13th created a wave of solidarity around the world and dozens of countries have paid homage to France and supported the French in their grieving.

In response to the French position in Syria and its air attacks on Islamic State targets, terrorists aiming to weaken the nation’s determination created a climate of fear to destabilize the population and the government. Indeed, the Friday night massacre was a way to attack not only French President François Hollande and his policies in Syria, Irak and Mali but also whole of the French society which is already weakened, unstable and divided by social inequalities and cultural differences. One of the real dangers now is that ethnic communities across France will give in to fear and paranoia and tear each other apart.    

State of emergency led to death of terrorist leader

Following the terrorist attacks, François Hollande decreed a state of emergency to facilitate searches and the arrest of terrorists. On Monday, November 16th, a foreign intelligence source reported that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the presumed head of the suicide bombers, was in France. Thanks to this tip and other elements, the police tracked down Hasna Aït Boulahcen, Abaaoud’s cousin, in Saint-Denis. 

        At 4 a.m., on Wednesday, November 18th, after a day of monitoring Hasna’s flat, police forces launched a raid. Over 100 police officers were involved in the 7-hour assault, firing over 5000 rounds of ammunition. Eight terrorists were arrested and two died, including a woman who set off her explosive belt to escape from police. A second corpse, that of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was identified by fingerprints  and salivary tests. Although this operation was a success, the presence of this man on French soil raises questions about the efficiency of border control and highlights flaws in national security.

        

Between security and infringement of liberties

Despite Abdelhamid Abaaoud’s death, the terrorist threat hasn’t been eliminated and the French government has extended the state of emergency until February 2016. But the measures taken to avoid another attack and ensure national security represent a danger for civil liberties.

First, a new law authorizes police officers to carry their guns even when they aren’t on duty. The law also reinforces surveillance measures around potential suspects with, for exemple, the extension of house arrests, internet monitoring, the creation of deradicalization centers and the reinforcement of administrative searches. Since the attacks, large public meetings have been forbidden and the government may extend this ban until February 2016, shutting down any association which could create a public disorder.

While the French people rose up when Daesh attacked their freedom, they now seem controlled by fear. It has forced them to accept the limitation of their liberties in the name of national security. Yet, it is essential to be aware of the dangers of a Police State where all the power is given to the executive and where the distinction between the State and the Army disappears. Security should never impinge on civil liberties. People should focus on the essential identity of France, with its festive spirit and the flavor of freedom. This is the real fight against Daesh : it is an ideological war in which people mustn’t capitulate because of fear and anger.

Karkarashvili Mariam and Peyret Mathilde

Sources:
http://www.slate.fr/story/109911/terreur-11-septembre-13-novembre
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/14/attaques-a-paris-ce-que-l-on-sait-samedi-matin_1413382
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/18/assaut-a-saint-denis-si-tu-leves-une-main-je-tire_1414556
http://www.rtl.fr/actu/societe-faits-divers/attentats-a-paris-comment-la-france-a-remonte-la-piste-abdelhamid-abaaoud-7780573718
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/19/les-policiers-armes_1414793
http://www.liberation.fr/france/2015/11/19/une-liberte-attaquee-par-l-ennemi-et-restreinte-par-l-etat_1414769