ISIS Claims It's Behind Paris Attacks

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks in Paris, which killed over 120 people and left the city reeling from the carnage.
By TheStreet Staff ,

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks in Paris, which killed over 120 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.

The Paris attacks came about 10 p.m. local time on Friday night. One of the attacks occurred at the Bataclan concert hall, where the California rock band Eagles of Death Metal were 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. 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." Two members of the band were reportedly unaccounted for. 

The band was scheduled to perform Saturday night in Tourcoing, France and on Sunday in Belgium. Despite its name, the band has bluegrass and country rock influences.

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