‘To teach France, and those following its path’
Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Saturday for attacks that killed at least 127 people in Paris, saying it sent militants strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns to various locations in the heart of the French capital.
The attacks, described by French President Francois Hollande as an act of war, were designed to show the country would remain in danger as long as it continued its current policies, the militant group said in a statement. France is a founder member of the US-led coalition waging air strikes against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
“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, it redistributed a video that first appeared on the internet a year ago, threatening to attack France if bombings of its fighters continued. The group’s foreign media arm, Al-Hayat Media Centre, made threats through several militants who called on French Muslims to carry out attacks.
“As long as you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear travelling to the market,” said one of the militants, identified as Abu Maryam the Frenchman.
The location of the Islamic State fighters in the video was not clear and it was not possible to determine when it was filmed, but the message was unmistakable.
The fighters, who appeared to be French citizens, sat cross-legged in a group wearing fatigues and holding weapons in what appeared to be a wooded area. The video showed the militants burning passports. “Indeed you have been ordered to fight the infidel wherever you find him what are you waiting for?” said Abu Maryam.
Another militant, identified as Abu Salman the Frenchman, said: “Terrorise them and do not allow them to sleep due to fear and horror.” Foreign fighters who join Islamic State, the group which controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria, are seen as especially dangerous because Western passports enable them to live in and travel to Western countries undetected.