France seeks answers to security challenge

Author (Person)
Series Title
Series Details 16.11.15
Publication Date 16/11/2015
Content Type

Features reporting on the reaction of the French authorities to the terrorist attacks hitting Paris on 13 November 2015.

Investigations continued regarding the identity of those who undertook the attacks to restaurants, bars and a concert hall. French military launched on 15 November 2015 a major air strike against Raqqa, seen as a stronghold of the so-called Islamic State.

Back in France, dozens of police raids took place in several cities and towns, while it remained unclear whether these were all related to the terrorist attacks. Several people were arrested or taken for questioning. French president François Hollande vowed to keep the state of emergency in place for a further 3 months, a decision which would require a special law from the parliament (to be presented on the 18 November 2015).

Later on the 16 November 2015 President Hollande spoke to a very rare joint session of parliament. He said that 'we are at war against jihadist terrorism' and added that France would intensify anti-terror operations in Syria. He announced a series of new security measures in France, and asked for a 'unique' international coalition of all countries who stand against IS, and a special UN resolution against the militant group.

French President François Hollande invoked article 42.7 of the Treaty of the European Union, on the 16 November 2015 requesting bilateral aid and assistance from other EU member states. Defence and Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs (Defence) in Brussels on the 17 November 2015 expressed their unanimous and full support to France and their readiness to provide all the necessary aid and assistance.

News sources reported that three people were killed in a shootout during a major police operation targeting the alleged mastermind of the 13 November 2015 attacks in Paris in the early hours of the 18 November 2015.

The French National Assembly voted on the 19 November 2015 to prolong the state of emergency in the country for a period of three months. This step would allow the authorities to impose curfews and carry out searches without a warrant, among other measures.

Source Link https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/131122
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Letter to President François Hollande of France from European Council President Donald Tusk on the attacks in Paris / Joint statement of the Heads of State or Government and leaders of the European Union and its institutions on the terrorist attacks in Paris http://www.europeansources.info/record/countries-rethink-commitments-to-accept-refugees/
Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 16.11.15: France reacts to terrorist attacks http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER173300-France-reacts-to-terrorist-attacks
EUObserver, 15.11.15: Parisians reclaim city, as security debate begins https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/131116
EurActiv, 16.11.15: France launches airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/france-launches-airstrikes-against-islamic-state-syria-319494
Politico, 16.11.15: Police arrest suspects in France and Belgium http://www.politico.eu/article/isis-could-strike-again-soon-french-pm-valls/
EUObserver, 16.11.15: Hollande announces security pact, calls for military assistance https://euobserver.com/political/131136
Deutsche Welle, 16.11.15: France's Hollande: We're at war http://dw.com/p/1H6qR
The Local.fr, 16.11.15: Hollande vows to crush Isis as hunt goes on http://www.thelocal.fr/20151116/hollande-vows-to-crush-isis-as-terror-hunt-goes-on
The Local.fr, 15.11.15: What state of emergency means for France http://www.thelocal.fr/20151115/what-will-the-state-of-emergency-mean
The Guardian, 16.11.15: When self-defence comes in the form of sustained airstrikes http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/16/when-self-defence-comes-in-the-form-of-sustained-airstrikes
Politico, 16.11.15: 6 takeaways on Hollande’s speech http://www.politico.eu/article/6-takeaways-hollande-speech-parliament-terrorism-syria-jihad-isil/
EurActiv, 17.11.15: France 'at war' inaugurates EU's mutual defence clause http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/france-war-inaugurates-eus-mutual-defence-clause-319531
EUObserver, 17.11.15: Intelligence errors in Paris attacks lead to growing criticism https://euobserver.com/justice/131143
Politico, 17.11.15: EU agrees to French request for military help http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-agrees-to-french-request-for-military-help/
Politico, 16.11.15: Attacks in France put NATO on the spot http://www.politico.eu/article/attacks-in-france-put-nato-on-the-spot/
Blog: Open Europe, 17.11.15: France triggers EU ‘mutual defence clause’ – but what is it? http://openeurope.org.uk/blog/france-triggers-eu-mutual-defence-clause-but-what-is-it/
EUObserver, 17.11.15: EU activates mutual defence clause for France https://euobserver.com/foreign/131151
The Guardian, 17.11.15: France invokes EU's article 42.7, but what does it mean? http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/17/france-invokes-eu-article-427-what-does-it-mean
The Local.fr, 18.11.15: Police in raid on Paris terror suspects http://www.thelocal.fr/20151118/breaking-one-dead-after-paris-police-raid
The Guardian, 18.11.15: At least two dead in major operation targeting suspected Paris attacks mastermind http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/paris-attacks-police-st-denis-shootout-hunt-for-ninth-attacker
EUObserver, 18.11.15: Anti-terror raid in Paris region https://euobserver.com/justice/131159
The Conversation, 17.11.15: Hollande declaring war will not rid Europe of terror https://theconversation.com/hollande-declaring-war-will-not-rid-europe-of-terror-50861
EurActiv, 18.11.15: France and Russia fight as allies in Syria http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/france-and-russia-fight-allies-syria-319585
Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 18.11.15: France invokes mutual defence clause http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER173469-France-invokes-mutual-defence-clause
Deutsche Welle, 19.11.15: France still investigating possible death of main suspect in Paris attacks http://dw.com/p/1H8gd
The Conversation, 18.11.15: Military intervention is needed against Islamic State – so, just come up with a strategy http://theconversation.com/military-intervention-is-needed-against-islamic-state-so-just-come-up-with-a-strategy-50872
Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 20.11.15: France prolongs state of emergency http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER173615-France-prolongs-state-of-emergency
France24, 20.11.15: France’s interior minister calls on EU to ‘wake up’ to terrorist threat http://www.france24.com/en/20151120-paris-attacks-cazeneuve-france-terrorism-eu-security
The Local.fr, 20.11.15: France plans national homage for terror victims http://www.thelocal.fr/20151120/tribute-planned-to-honour-paris-terror-victims

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