By Eric Knecht
CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State claimed responsibility on Saturday for
attacks that killed 127 people in Paris, saying it sent militants
strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns to various
locations in the heart of the capital.
The attacks, described by France's president as an act of
war, were designed to show the country would remain in danger as long as
it continued its current policies, Islamic State said in a statement.
"To teach France, and all nations following its path, that
they will remain at the top of Islamic State’s list of targets, and
that the smell of death won’t leave their noses as long as they partake
in their crusader campaign," said the group.
French President Francois Hollande said the violence was
organized from abroad by Islamic State with internal help.
"Faced with war, the country must take appropriate action," he said, without saying what that meant.
A postcard and flowers are left in tribute to victims of Paris attacks outside the French Embassy in …
The attacks at a stadium, concert hall and cafes
and restaurants in northern and eastern Paris were "an act of war
committed by Daesh that was prepared, organized and planned from outside
(of France)" with help from inside France, Hollande said, using the
Arabic acronym for Islamic State.
Earlier on
Saturday, Islamic State redistributed a video, that first appeared on
the internet a year ago, threatening to attack France if bombings of its
fighters continued.
The group's foreign media arm,
Al-Hayat Media Centre, made threats through several militants who called
on French Muslims to carry out attacks.
"As long as
you keep bombing you will not live in peace. You will even fear
traveling to the market," said one of the militants, identified as Abu
Maryam the Frenchman.
Hollande said the attacks were "an act of war".
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A young boy leaves flowers in tribute to victims of Paris attacks outside the French Embassy in Lond …
The location of the Islamic State fighters in the
video was not clear and it was not possible to determine when it was
filmed, but the message was unmistakable.
The
fighters, who appeared to be French citizens, sat cross-legged in a
group wearing fatigues and holding weapons in what appeared to be a
wooded area. The video showed the militants burning passports.
"Indeed you have been ordered to fight the infidel wherever
you find him – what are you waiting for?," said Abu Maryam.
"Know that jihad in this time is obligatory on all."
Another militant, identified as Abu Salman the Frenchman,
said: "There are weapons and cars available and targets ready to be hit.
Even poison is available, so poison the water and food of at least one
of the enemies of Allah."
People warm up under protective thermal blankets as they prepare to board a bus to be evacuated near …
"Terrorize them and do not allow them to sleep due to fear and horror," he added.
Foreign fighters who join Islamic State, the group which
controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria, are seen as especially
dangerous because Western passports enable them to live in and travel to
Western countries undetected.
Another militant in
the video, identified as Abu Osama the Frenchman, appealed to Muslims
living in France to head to Syria to wage jihad, in "a message from your
French brothers".
"Jihad is the path of Allah You
strengthen their economy and pay taxes which they use to fight us, and
kill our sister, our women and our children," he said.
"Are you not embarrassed? Repent to your Lord and come join us.
Because a day may come when the borders will be closed and you will be
left only with tears and regret."
(Additional reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Michael Georgy; editing by John Stonestreet)
