Not really in the know about what went down in Paris? Here are the top 5 questions you’re probably asking about the Paris attacks, answered for your convenience.
1. Who was responsible for the Paris attacks?
The suspected leader of the Paris attacks is a man named Abdelhamid Abaaoud, 28, now deceased. He was killed in a raid in Saint-Denis, Paris. Eleven people are suspected of being involved in the attack, and all but two are now dead. The remaining suspects, Salah Abdeslam and Mohamed Abrini, are currently on the run. The attackers are members of the terrorist group ISIS.
2. How many people were killed, and where?
In total, 130 people died in the Paris attacks. Most of the victims died at the Bataclan, a theatre located in Paris, France. Two other locations were bombed, including the outside of the Stade de France, where a France v Germany soccer game was being played. Two of the suicide bombers set off their belts outside the stadium, but had planned on detonating inside. The third location was in central Paris.
3. Why was Paris attacked?
There’s a lot of speculation why ISIS attacked Paris. Paris was, first of all, playing its part in the American-led alliance against ISIS by bombing the Islamic State in Syria. But the United States, as well as Russia, Britain, and other countries, was also doing its part in the battle against ISIS. So ultimately, the reason for the Paris attacks could be that it was always ISIS’s plan to bomb Paris but didn’t have the chance previously; ISIS wants to prevent other countries from bombing the Islamic State; or even ISIS is trying to cause a WWIII.
4. What’s been done following the attack?
Two days after the attacks in Paris, France bombed Raqqa, a Syrian city, two days in a row. This was the most intense airstrike bombing that France has done thus far towards the Islamic State. France had been bombing inside Syria sparingly, opting to mostly attack the Islamic State in Iraq, but is now disregarding this rule in retaliation to the Paris attacks. Two targets were killed in the bombing of Raqqa. It is unclear how many casualties there were in Raqqa.
5. What can I do to help?
Educate yourself more than you already have. Do your research before reaching conclusions and making sweeping generalizations, such as “all Syrian refugees are walking timebombs,” or “the Facebook filters truly show my love and support for the victims in Paris.” The best way for you to help not only Paris, but yourself, is to simply learn. The greatest weapon of all is knowledge.