Two days after the attack claimed by the Islamic State organization that killed 137 people in Moscow, the French government decided on Sunday to raise the Vigipirate plan to its highest level.
The Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced on Sunday, March 24th, to “raise” the Vigipirate plan in France to its highest level: “attack emergency”, following the attack in Moscow claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). “Considering the claim of the attack by the Islamic State and the threats to our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture to its highest level: attack emergency,” said Gabriel Attal following a defense council at the Elysee.
“After the attack in Moscow, a National Defense and Security Council was held tonight at the Elysee by the President of the Republic. Considering the claim of the attack by the Islamic State and the threats to our country, we have decided to…” – Gabriel Attal
“The claim of the Moscow attack comes from the Islamic State in Khorasan. This organization poses a threat to France and has been involved in several recent foiled attack projects in several European countries, including Germany and France,” clarified Matignon.
“The Prime Minister has asked the Secretary-General of Defense and National Security, under his authority, to convene a meeting tomorrow (Monday) at the earliest involving all security services affected by the raising of the Vigipirate level,” it added. The Vigipirate plan had been downgraded to level 2 (“reinforced security – attack risk”) in January.
Just four months away from the Paris Olympics (July 26-August 11), Emmanuel Macron chaired a defense council at the Elysee on Sunday evening regarding “the Moscow attack and its consequences.”
The attack, which took place on Friday at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, resulted in at least 137 deaths and 182 injuries according to the latest count. Investigators continue to search through the debris of the building housing the concert hall, devastated by a massive fire started by the attackers.
The attack was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), but Moscow has not yet implicated this organization.
Written by AFP
