France raises the level of the Vigipirate plan to “emergency attack”

This decision, taken following a defense council at the Elysée, is justified by “the claim of responsibility for the attack by the Islamic State and the threats weighing on our country”, according to Gabriel Attal.

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Illustrative image of a Vigipirate sign indicating the level "emergency attack", on November 2, 2023 in Paris.  (AMAURY CORNU / HANS LUCAS / AFP)

The French government announced on Sunday March 24 that it was raising the level of the Vigipirate plan to “emergency attack” after the attack in Moscow. This decision, taken following a defense council at the Elysée, is justified by “the claim of responsibility for the attack by the Islamic State and the threats weighing on our country”, according to Gabriel Attal, who spoke on the social network X.

The attack on a concert hall near Moscow on Friday left at least 137 people dead. It was claimed by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). Moscow still did not discuss the responsibility of this group on Sunday, instead citing a Ukrainian lead on Saturday.

A meeting “with all impacted security services”

“The claim for the Moscow attack comes from the Islamic State in Khorasan. However, this organization threatens France and has been involved in several recent foiled attack plans in several European countries, including Germany and the France”specified Matignon.

“The Prime Minister asked the Secretary General of Defense and National Security, under his authority, to convene tomorrow (Monday) first thing in the morning, a meeting bringing together all the security services impacted by the increase in the Vigipirate level”, added Matignon. The Vigipirate plan was downgraded to level 2 (“reinforced security – risk of attack”) in January.


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