Paris Terror Attacks: Investigations Reveal Links to Believed Planning Member

Strategic Insights -

Belgian authorities knew of three individuals suspected of involvement in the Paris terror attacks before the attacks occurred, a Belgian federal prosecutor told CNN. These individuals were Ibrahim Abdeslam, who reportedly blew himself up in the attacks; his brother Saleh Abdeslam, who is the target of an international manhunt; and Bilal Hadfi, who was identified as one of the suicide bombers. Prior to the attacks, Western intelligence agencies had attempted to track Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian citizen believed to be in Syria, who is thought to have planned the wave of deadly assaults. Abaaoud had been implicated in several terrorist attacks and conspiracies in Western Europe before the Paris attacks. Investigators have been unable to locate Salah Abdeslam, a 26-year-old French citizen suspected of involvement in the Paris attacks.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least three individuals suspected of involvement in the Paris terror attacks were known to Belgian authorities beforehand: Ibrahim Abdeslam, Saleh Abdeslam, and Bilal Hadfi.
  • Western intelligence agencies had attempted to track Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian citizen believed to be in Syria, who is thought to have planned the wave of deadly assaults.
  • Abaaoud had been implicated in several terrorist attacks and conspiracies in Western Europe before the Paris attacks.
  • Investigators have been unable to locate Salah Abdeslam, a 26-year-old French citizen suspected of involvement in the Paris attacks.
  • Abaaoud has strong ties to the notorious Brussels suburb of Molenbeek and is believed to be a longstanding associate of Abdeslam.
  • An international arrest warrant has been issued for Abdeslam, who is reported to have rented the car that was found outside the Bataclan concert hall.
  • Two men detained over the weekend in Molenbeek are now under arrest for "attempted terrorism and participation in the activities of a terrorist group."

Statistics:

  • At least 129 people were killed in the Paris terror attacks.
  • Over 400 people were wounded in the attacks.
  • French authorities conducted over 128 new raids around the country overnight in response to the attacks.
  • French President Francois Hollande has proposed extending the state of emergency for a further three months along with sweeping new anti-terrorism laws.
  • French warplanes have launched wave after wave of airstrikes on ISIS' de facto capital of Raqqa in northern Syria in recent days, including a strike early Tuesday.

Sources:

  • CNN's Ivan Watson interview with Belgian federal prosecutor Eric Van Der Sypt
  • CNN's report on Western intelligence agencies tracking Abdelhamid Abaaoud
  • CNN's report on investigators failing to locate Salah Abdeslam
  • BFMTV report on French officials identifying some of the dead Paris attackers
  • CNN's report on French officials raising questions about how effectively the U.S. and its allies are able to track foreign fighters traveling to Syria and Iraq.