The Islamic State (ISIS) group’s ability to carry out the deadly Paris attacks that it has claimed reveals the growing sophistication and reach of the global jihadist network, analysts said Saturday.
The Islamic State (ISIS) group’s ability to carry out the deadly Paris attacks that it has claimed reveals the growing sophistication and reach of the global jihadist network, analysts said Saturday.
At least 128 people were killed in gun and bomb attacks in the French capital Friday Experts say the attacks demonstrate ISIS’ evolution from localised operations in Iraq and Syria to the West.
“The push to France likely represents the next stage of ISIS,” said Clint Watts, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
“We’ll see them increasingly move away from conventional and insurgent operations in Iraq and Syria and more towards terrorist attacks in their extended network,” he said.
Since the January attack on the Paris offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, in which more than a dozen people were killed, the French police has detained several individuals with alleged ties to the ISIS.
The string of incidents, according to jihadism analyst Aymenn al-Tamimi, indicate that “it’s questionable to call (the Paris attack) a shift in strategy.”
But it does demonstrate a shift in success rates, Mr Tamimi said. “It is certainly an unprecedented attack for them in terms of results in Europe. It shows they have sophisticated networks in Europe, not mere lone-wolf fan boys,” he added.
And with France’s focus on sectarianism and the high number of French citizens who have joined the ranks of ISIS fighters, Paris was a logical target, Mr Tamimi said.
The coordinated attack saw shootings, suicide bombings, and hostage situations at a stadium, a concert hall, and other areas around the French capital.
Charlie Winter, ISIS expert at the London-based Quillaia Foundation, said: “This is the logical trajectory for IS’ strategy.”
