352 wounded, 99 in critical condition, and 129 pronounced dead: These are the results of an Islamic State terror attack that struck Friday, November 13th 2015. The Sunni jihadist militant group has seemed to fade away as an international threat the past few months. The beheadings of numerous innocent people, including American journalist James Foley, was the last time ISIS had its Western enemies in fear. This attack on Paris was used by the Islamic state as a way to resurface their group as a threat. According to the President of France, Francois Hollande, this was announced as “an act of war”

This is a highlight of the scattered attacks on six various soft targets (places where large groups of civilians go for entertainment and recreation activities, as opposed to hard targets: places including government buildings like congress or the Pentagon) carried out by three teams in Paris, the heart of France.

Stade de France- 9:20 p.m.

The first bomb detonates here, on the outskirts of a soccer stadium. The suicide bomber had the intention to enter the stadium where France and Germany were currently playing, thankfully he did not make it in. The President of France was present at the game, thankfully he remained safe just as the rest of the 80,000 people in the stadium did. Later two more bombs are detonated (all three attacks on this site were suicide bombings) at this site occurring at 9:30 p.m. and 9: 53 p.m.

Le Carillon and Le Petit Cambodge- 9:25 p.m.

Gunmen wielding Kalashnikov assault rifles arrive at these two restaurants in a black car. They immediately begin to open fire upon the innocent civilians, leaving behind hundreds of shell casings for police to later discover. This attack left fifteen people killed and 10 wounded.  

A La Bonne Biere- 9:32 p.m.

Within the 11th district of Paris yet another black vehicle arrives to the scene outside this bar. Five people are killed and eight in critical condition as a result of a single armed gunman.

La Belle Equipe- 9:36 p.m.

Gunman pull up to this restaurant armed with assault rifles. They fire upon people sitting on the outside of the diner. Nineteen people are killed, with nine seriously injured.

Comptoir Voltaire and Concert venue Bataclan- 9:40 p.m.

Inside this restaurant one of the attackers detonates a bomb, which is attached to his body. Followed by this was the sound of gunfire for about three minutes, says one of the survivors. This left one person seriously injured and several others with minor wounds.

Within the concert hall three armed attackers open fire as the U.S. band, Eagles of Death Metal, are performing. At this site the most damage is done it seems. Eighty-nine innocents are killed. Many witnesses remember as people hit the floor for cover hearing the gunman yell, “Allah Akbar”. After this many people left inside are taken hostage, while few lucky people find a place to hide within the hall where they remain for nearly three hours.

Police Raid Baatclan- 12:20 a.m.

Later on after the massacre in this hall, police arrive. Three of the terrorists are killed in this assault by police. One killed through gunfire, the other two detonating their suicide belts, says a CNN article. Police come across many injured people along with the 89 killed. One man recounts the situation at the concert hall, Denis Plaud: “There was blood everywhere. Even people alive were covered with blood,” he later tells reporters. “There was especially on the ground floor a lot of dead bodies and blood, and some people had been alive and had to stay for several hours among dead corpse[s] and they went out covered with blood.”

These attacks were carried out by seven men, (however French authorities are still considering whether an eighth man was involved) however, two other unnamed men were involved. Of these nine total terrorists eight have been pronounced dead. Only one man, Salah Abdeslam, is on the run still.

One of the most threatening aspects of these attacks was the fact that at least half of the attackers were of Belgium or French descent. ISIS has used social media networking to attract people across the world to their extremist cause, making attacks globally much easier. The members of ISIS whom are living in other countries are instructed to remain where they are, as opposed to coming over to the Middle East to fight. This allows them to remain undetected or seem suspicious and thus leaves the door open for them to strike in their homeland. This is a recent strategy introduced by the Islamic State and it poses a much greater security threat to nations across the globe. Another strategy which has puzzled many officials all around the world is the determination of ISIS. The question so often asked is: How do you fight a battle against people who are willing to die?”

These attacks have been the second one on Paris in the last year, with the Charlie Hebdo attack occurring early in 2015. France has been struck hard yet their culture and people remain strong and unbreakable. The night succeeding the attacks the entire world stood with Paris through the attacks. Across the globe many nations lit up some of their nicest and most marvelous buildings with the colors of the French flag. These nations kept the world alit as Paris and its people rested in darkness.

To show further support people in every nation on our globe began showing sympathy for Paris by tweeting or posting “#PrayforParis”. These attacks have brought the world together and made all nations much stronger. In the face of evil all nations look to each other for support. The Islamic State will not just disappear overnight but with a strong dedication and sense of companionship amongst all nations they will be defeated.

1 CNN 2 CNN and Washington Post 3 CNN and Washington Post 4 CNN and Washington Post 5 CNN and Washington Post 6 CNN and Washington Post 7 CNN and Washington Post 8 BBC 9 NBC