ISIS Says It's Behind Attacks
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks in Paris, which killed at least 129 people and left the city reeling from the carnage.
Saturday's statement was released on the same outlet that was used to claim responsibility for the crash of a Russian jet over the Sinai Peninsula two weeks ago, killing 224, The New York Times reported.
ISIS said France would remain at the top of its list of targets, calling it "the capital of obscenity and prostitution." The Friday attacks, it said, were "the first of the storm."
More than 350 people remained hospitalized in the wake of the terrorist acts that hit the national soccer stadium where France was playing Germany, a concert hall where an American group called Eagles of Death Metal was performing and at half a dozen restaurants where Parisians were enjoying the start of the weekend.
Among the dead was an American college student, 23-year-old Nohemi Gonzalez, who was in a study abroad program from California State University-Long Beach, the university announced.
The attacks were carried out by three teams of ISIS terrorists acting in unison, including one person who may have traveled to Europe with a Syrian passport among the flood of migrants, officials said.
French President François Hollande, citing the Islamic State, called the attacks on Paris -- the worst since World War II -- an "act of war."
"It is an act of war that was committed by a terrorist army, a jihadist army," Hollande said, addressing the nation from the Élysée Palace. He added that France would be "unforgiving with the barbarians."
Leaders from around the world condemned the attacks. President Obama called them "an outrageous attempt to terrorize civilians." Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany pledged solidarity with France, saying, "Together with you, we will fight against those who have carried out such an unfathomable act against you."
Pope Francis decried the attacks, saying in a call to an Italian television station, "There is no justification for such things, neither religious nor human, this is not human."
The Paris attacks came about 10 p.m. local time on Friday. One of the attacks occurred at the Bataclan concert hall, where the California rock band Eagles of Death Metal was performing.
A reported 118 people were killed at the 151-year-old venue in Paris' 11th arrondissement. Heavily armed gunmen reportedly fired at the Bataclan crowd and took hostages. Police said that they had killed two terrorists after storming the concert hall. A nearby brasserie was set up as a triage center.
Five additional attacks, including at least two at crowded restaurants, occurred in the 11th and neighboring 10th arrondissements. The 11th arrondissement is perhaps best known for the Pere Lachaise cemetery.
Further north in the city, explosions were reported outside the Stade de France, where the French national soccer team was playing Germany. The stadium attacks reportedly included at least one suicide bomber.
President Obama condemned the attacks and said the U.S. was "prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and the people of France need to respond."
"France is our oldest ally," he said. "The French people have stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States time and again. And we want to be very clear that we stand together with them in the fight against terrorism and extremism."
The U.S. embassy in Paris warned Americans in the city to be vigilant.
French President Francoise Holland called the attacks "barbaric" and vowed that his country would be "merciless" in its response. Holland ordered the borders closed.
"We wanted to be here among all those who saw these atrocious things, to say that we are going to fight and our fight will be merciless, because these terrorists that are capable of such atrocities need to know that they will be confronted by a France that is determined, unified and pulled together and a France that will not let itself be overawed even if today it is expressing an infinite amount of emotion at this drama and this tragedy, which was an abomination and a barbaric act," Holland said.
Eagles of Death Metal issued a statement via its Facebook page, saying it was "currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation." The Washington Post reported that all the band members were safe.
The band's merchandise manager from Britain, 36-year-old Nick Alexander, was said to be among those killed at the Bataclan theater in a statement released by his family Saturday.
"It is with huge sorrow that we can confirm that our beloved Nick lost his life at the Bataclan last night," his family's said. "Nick was not just our brother, son and uncle, he was everyone's best friend - generous, funny and fiercely loyal.
"Nick died doing the job he loved and we take great comfort in knowing how much he was cherished by his friends around the world. Thank you for your thoughts and respect for our family at this difficult time. Peace and light."
Eagles of Death Metal has canceled the rest of its European tour, according to Agency France-Presse.
U2 postponed its Saturday night concert, which was to be televised by HBO. Foo Fighters canceled its scheduled performance on Monday in Paris.
This article was written by a staff member of TheStreet.