France is marking the 10th anniversary of the November 2015 Paris attacks. This commemoration coincides with a recent arrest related to alleged terrorist plotting.
Recent Arrest and Investigation
A 27-year-old French convert to Islam, identified as Maëva B., has been arrested on suspicion of planning a violent act. Maëva B. reportedly engaged in a letter-writing relationship with Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving perpetrator of the November 2015 attacks, who is currently serving a life sentence.
Prison authorities discovered a USB key containing jihadist propaganda, which was traced to face-to-face meetings between Abdeslam and Maëva B. Subsequent investigation of Maëva B.'s computer and telephone revealed evidence suggesting the planning of a jihadist attack. On Monday, she, along with two alleged associates, was placed under judicial investigation.
The November 2015 Paris Attacks
On the evening of November 13, 2015, a series of coordinated attacks occurred across Paris:
- Three suicide bombers detonated devices outside the Stade de France.
- Gunmen subsequently opened fire on individuals at bars and cafés in eastern Paris.
- The attacks culminated in an assault on the Bataclan concert hall, where an Eagles of Death Metal performance was underway. Three individuals entered the venue, fired indiscriminately into the audience, took hostages, and then detonated explosive devices as police intervened.
These events resulted in 130 fatalities, with 90 occurring at the Bataclan, and over 400 individuals receiving hospital treatment. The attacks also caused widespread psychological trauma. The term "Bataclan" has become associated with Islamist extremist violence in France since these events.
Other significant attacks have occurred in France since 2015, including the Nice lorry attack in July 2016 and the killing of teacher Samuel Paty in October 2020. However, the scale and coordination of the November 13, 2015 attacks distinguish them.
Evolution of the Threat
Over the past decade, changes in the landscape of extremist groups have been noted. The Islamic State (IS) group's diminished presence in Syria and Iraq has reportedly reduced the capacity for planning and executing complex terrorist projects.
The perpetrators of the 2015 Bataclan attacks were described as young men, primarily of North African origin, recruited in Belgium and France, trained in IS territory, and then returned to Europe, often blending with migrant populations. They reportedly relied on a network of supporters for logistical aid.
According to Middle East expert Gilles Kepel, intelligence services have enhanced their capabilities in monitoring online radicalization. He noted that advanced IT resources allow for the detection of individual initiatives, often less sophisticated, enabling intervention before plans materialize.
Mr. Kepel also suggests a shift towards "ambient jihadism," characterized by a younger, home-grown threat that develops through social networks and friendships, potentially without direct orders. He indicated that events such as those in Gaza and Israel can have a significant impact on individuals, which can be leveraged by "entrepreneurs of anger." Additionally, he posited that France's current political climate, marked by a perceived lack of presidential authority and an increasingly partisan parliament, contributes to an environment where violence may face fewer societal restraints.
Commemorative Activities
To mark the 10th anniversary, the Eiffel Tower is scheduled to be illuminated in the colors of the French flag. Survivors of the attacks have also shared accounts of how their lives have been affected over the past decade.