France: Authorities warn terrorist threat remains high

Event

According to the chief of France’s internal intelligence agency, the Direction générale de la sécurité intérieure (General Directorate for Internal Security), the risk of the Islamic State (IS) perpetrating an attack on French territory remains high despite notable setbacks for the group in recent months (e.g. significant territorial losses in Syria and Iraq). According to French authorities, the widespread availability of IS tutorials online - providing instructions to launch a suicide attack or a car bombing - has increased the sophistication of IS militants, and thereby heightened the level of risk.

As of November 2017, at least 281 French nationals have been killed fighting alongside IS troops abroad, and 686 French nationals are reportedly living in IS-controlled territory. 

Context

France has been on high alert against the threat of terrorism following a series of attacks perpetrated since 2015. Following the November 13, 2015, Paris attacks, which killed 130 people and injured another 413, then-President François Hollande declared a state of emergency. It was only lifted on November 1 this year, after President Emmanuel Macron passed a bill permanently providing additional powers to the police, including increased capability to search property, to engage in electronic surveillance, and to close establishments deemed to be extremist.

Advice

Individuals in France are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or activity to the relevant authorities.