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France raises terror alert to highest level after Islamic State claims deadly Russia attack
- President Macron held emergency security meeting on Sunday prompted by Friday’s attack at a Moscow concert venue that killed more than 130 people
- France has repeatedly been hit by IS attacks and was already on high security alert ahead of the Paris Olympics in July
France’s government increased its security alert posture to the highest level on Sunday after the deadly attack at a Russian concert hall and Islamic State’s claim of responsibility.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the decision in a post on X, saying authorities were “taking into account the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the [Moscow] attack and the threats weighing on our country”.
The announcement came after President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency security meeting prompted by Friday’s attack in a Moscow suburb that killed more than 130 people. The attack was claimed by an affiliate of Islamic State.
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France has repeatedly been hit by deadly Islamic State attacks, including the Bataclan theatre massacre in 2015 in which extremists opened fire on concertgoers and held hostages for hours. French troops have also fought against Islamic extremists in the Middle East and Africa.
France was already on high security alert ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this year, which are expected to draw millions of visitors to the country. Security concerns are notably high for the exceptional opening ceremony on July 26, which will involve boats riding along the Seine River and huge crowds watching from the embankments.
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