(International Observation) 5th Anniversary of the Paris Terrorism
November 13 is the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Paris. This anniversary is very special, mainly because France is still in the dual test of epidemic prevention and control and counter-terrorism, and it needs “two-front combat”; in the face of the current severe counter-terrorism situation, France has stepped up its counter-terrorism steps.
Hold low-key memorial
The reporter came to the Bataclan Theater, one of the main locations of the Paris terrorist attack five years ago. The theater’s red signs have long been replaced by black; at the same time, in order to prevent and control the coronavirus, France has entered the second nationwide “closed city”. All shops and cafes around the theater are closed. There are few pedestrians on the street and the atmosphere is more solemn.
Some people still come to the theater from time to time to lay flowers in mourning. Some mourners said that they are still unforgettable about what happened 5 years ago. In front of the memorial commemorating the victims near the Batakland Theater, there are also people in the memory. The front of the theater and the monument are filled with memorials such as flowers and photos.
French President Macron mourned through social media that day, saying that “we must fight for those who have fallen, and for those who are still alive.” On November 13, 2015, a severe terrorist attack occurred in Paris, resulting in 130 deaths, of which 90 died at Bataclan Theater.
Due to the epidemic, the scale of the day’s commemoration was greatly reduced. The official memorial activities were not open to the public. French Prime Minister Caste, Interior Minister Dalmanin and Paris Mayor Hidalgo etc. were in Bataclan Theater and other Paris terrorist attacks. A small memorial ceremony was held in a low-key manner.
The anti-terrorism situation is grim
There have been many attacks in France recently, and officials have announced that the anti-terrorism alert level has been raised to the highest level throughout the country. The anti-terrorism situation in the epidemic is not optimistic.
The reporter noticed that the police were closely guarding the Bataclan Theater that day. The police not only need to intensify their efforts to strictly check the travel certificates of the people, and supervise the people to travel in accordance with the measures of “closing the city” during the epidemic, but also to strictly guard against terrorist threats. Under great pressure.
The movement of people in Europe during the epidemic has become the focus of France’s anti-terrorism efforts. After the French-Spanish border control measures taken to prevent and control the epidemic were cancelled in June, the French-Spanish border was reopened, and the number of people trying to cross the border into France has surged. The Nice attack suspect smuggled from Tunisia to Lampedusa, Italy in September, and then managed to enter France from Italy in October. Macron has stated that illegal immigrants and human traffickers are increasingly linked to terrorism.
Official data show that in the past five years, France has suffered 20 attacks, 19 attempted attacks, and 61 attacks were frustrated. However, recent attacks have occurred one after another, which has aroused high official vigilance. Officials such as Dalmanin have issued warnings on the counter-terrorism situation many times. How to step up counter-terrorism has become urgent for France.
Step up the counter-terrorism
Despite the current severe epidemic, French officials still strengthen anti-terrorism from multiple levels. The first is to introduce specific measures to strengthen domestic security and protect public places such as religious sites and schools; strengthen French border control and increase law enforcement personnel; at the same time, deport illegal immigrants suspected of extremism.
Second, strengthen international cooperation against terrorism. Macron held a meeting with leaders of Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and the European Union this week to discuss and coordinate responses to the threat of terrorism. The meeting reached some consensus, and the leaders of many countries at the meeting agreed that measures should be strengthened to protect the EU’s external borders.
French Minister of the Interior Darmanin and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Drian also visited many countries in North Africa to discuss counter-terrorism issues. The analysis believes that the relevant visit is aimed at alleviating the tension between France and some Islamic countries and gaining support from North African countries in counter-terrorism.
Third, step up military operations against terrorism. French Defense Minister Pali stated on the 13th that the French army recently killed Moussa, a senior commander of the Al-Qaida branch in a military operation in northeastern Mali. The French army has recently stepped up its attack on the Al-Qaida organization in Mali.
Under the current situation, French officials will inevitably continue to combat terrorism in a “multi-pronged approach” while preventing and controlling the epidemic, push the counter-terrorism further, and make every effort to ensure the safety of the country and the people.
