After the Friday evening coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris, police are sifting through the resulting mayhem for answers. We now know that a suicide bomber attempted to enter the stadium where the France-Germany international friendly was held. Although the bomber held a ticket, his vest was discovered, and he was removed from the premises. In addition, ISIS has asserted responsibility for the attacks that have left an entire city (and world) in a state of shock and mourning. Now we’re hearing some more about the deceased bombers.
One detail, which slipped out in the initial stages of news coverage, asserted that an armed gunman shouted about Syria during the attacks. There have also been hints that bombers may have used fake Syrian passports in attempt to enter the stadium. Yet the Wall Street Journal reports that one of the suicide bombers has been identified as a Syrian migrant. Investigators have examined the bombers’ remains, and one man is confirmed to have been on a watch list, according to authorities. The story also admits the French authorities’ reluctance to fully tie the bomber’s identity to the passport:
French investigators were able to match the remains of one of the suicide bombers who attacked France’s main stadium to a Syrian passport that was used to enter Europe’s free-travel area and apply for asylum, the people familiar with the matter said.
Paris prosecutor François Molins said the terror group consisted of seven members, not eight as his office had said late Friday. He confirmed a Syrian passport had been found near one of the attackers but stopped short of saying it was his. The prosecutors said he couldn’t disclose certain sensitive details of the investigation.
French authorities have also revealed how a rental car, which was used in conjunction with the concert hall attack, has led to the apprehension of three men by Belgian police.
On this side of the pond, certain politicians have launched an anti-Syrian movement. One of the more vocal proponents of the movement, GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz, has words on the subject. Cruz published a statement on his website, which speaks out “against the scourge of radical Islamic terrorism” and urges that no country take in Syrian refugees:
“We must now face the facts. Between the downing of the Russian jet over Egypt and this massive coordinated attack on Paris, we are seeing an unmistakable escalation of ISIS’ ambitions and the scale of their terrorist attacks outside Syria and Iraq. Even as chaos rages in Paris, we need to take immediate, commonsense steps to preserve our own safety. We need to consult closely with our NATO allies who may be targeted for additional attacks. We need to immediately declare a halt to any plans to bring refugees that may have been infiltrated by ISIS to the United States. We need to redouble our efforts to prevent ISIS agents from penetrating our nation by other means”
Cruz finishes his statement with a promise that anyone who grows affiliated with ISIS is “in effect, signing your own death warrant.”
(Via Wall Street Journal & TedCruz.org)