Two days after the attack claimed by the Islamic State organization which left 137 dead in Moscow, the French government decided on Sunday to raise the Vigipirate plan a notch to its highest level.
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Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Sunday March 24 to “raise” the Vigipirate plan in France to its highest level: “emergency attack”, following the attack on Moscow claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).
“Given the claim of responsibility for the attack by the Islamic State and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture to its highest level: emergency attack,” indicated Gabriel Attal on the outcome of a defense council at the Élysée.
Following the attack in Moscow, a Defense and National Security Council was convened this evening at the Elysée by the President of the Republic.
Given the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to…
— Gabriel Attal (@GabrielAttal) March 24, 2024
“The claim for the Moscow attack comes from the Islamic State in Khorasan. However, this organization threatens France and has been involved in several recent foiled attack plans in several European countries, including Germany and the France,” said Matignon.
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“The Prime Minister asked the Secretary General of Defense and National Security, under his authority, to convene a meeting first thing tomorrow (Monday) bringing together all the security services impacted by the increase in the Vigipirate level “, we add.
The Vigipirate plan was downgraded to level 2 (“reinforced security – risk of attack”) in January.
Four months before the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11), Emmanuel Macron chaired a defense council on Sunday evening at the Élysée on “the Moscow attack and its consequences”.
The attack on Friday at Crocus City Hall near Moscow left at least 137 dead and 182 injured according to the latest report. Investigators continue to search the rubble of the building housing the concert hall, ravaged by a gigantic fire started by the attackers.
The attack was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), but Moscow has still not blamed this organization.
With AFP