What We Know About the Paris Attackers

By Chas Danner, New York Magazine

15 November 15

 

t’s now pretty clear that ISIS-linked extremists were behind the brutal attacks which killed 129 people and injured another 352 on Friday night in Paris, and details about the attackers and their possible accomplices are continuing to emerge. Here's what we know so far.

Seven Attackers Killed, Manhunt on for Eighth

At least seven men are known to have executed the attacks, and all seven were killed, six by detonating their explosive suicide vests, and one after being shot by police. Until midday Saturday, reports had indicated there were eight assailants who had been killed, but only seven have been confirmed dead. On Sunday, BFM TV reported that law enforcement officials believe there may indeed be an eighth assailant who escaped, and the New York Times reports that a manhunt is currently underway. That man had apparently rented a black Volkswagon Polo that was used in the attack, but was then not among those killed. It is not yet clear if this eighth person participated in the actual attack, or was just an accomplice.

Seven Arrested in Belgium

At least seven arrests have been made in Brussels of people suspected of having connections to the attacks. The Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday that, according to U.S. law enforcement officials, French authorities now believe that the attack was planned and financed within a small terrorist cell in Brussels, likely incorporating several participants who had experience living in Paris, based on the sophistication of Friday's assault. The investigation in Brussels has focused on the district of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, where multiple raids seem to have been conducted by police. 

Belgium is the source of the fourth-highest number of foreign fighters in Europe. (France is #1.)

Getaway Car Found with Guns Inside

An abandoned black Seat Leon has been found in the eastern Paris suburb of Montreuil with three Kalashnikov rifles insides, as well as several full and empty magazines. This is the getaway car that police believe was used by some of the restaurant shooters.

One Attacker Identified - Ismaïl Omar Mostefai

One of the attackers involved in the Bataclan concert siege has been identified in French media reports as 29-year-old Ismaïl Omar Mostefai, a French national whose fingerprint was obtained from one of the bombers' severed fingers. The AFP and Guardian report that Mostefai was known by French authorities and had been arrested but never served time in jail. A resident of the city of Chartres, Mostefai also had links to radical Islam but was apparently never suspected of terrorism. Six people connected to Mostefai have now been detained by authorities, including his father, brother, and sister in law. Mostefai's younger brother told the AFP that he hadn't seen him in years, adding, “It’s crazy, insane. I was in Paris myself [Friday] night, I saw what a mess it was.”

Attackers Worked In Three Teams

According to Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, the assailants split themselves into three coordinated teams: one at the Stade de France, one traveling in a black Seat car which fired on multiple locations, and one traveling in a black Volkswagen Polo. One of the cars was registered to a French citizen, possibly the eighth attacker, who was later stopped at the Belgian border with two other people. At that time the driver's name was not yet connected to the attack so he and his passengers were allowed to continue into Belgium.

Stadium Attackers

The Paris attacks began around 9:20 p.m. when one of three terrorists blew himself up at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The first two suicide bombings happened outside the stadium, and the third by a nearby McDonalds. One civilian was killed in these bombings. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that one of the three attackers had a ticket for France-Germany soccer match that was underway, and detonated his suicide belt after being turned away at one of the stadium’s entrances. Police suspect his aim was to blow himself up in the stadium so as to cause a deadly stampede among the crowd. In other news regarding the stadium attackers, an Egyptian and a Syrian passport were reportedly found by the remains of two of the suicide bombers there.

Le Bataclan Attackers

Another three men perpetrated the siege of Le Bataclan concert hall, resulting in the systematic slaughter of at least 89 people who were attending a sold-out rock concert — the deadliest attack of the night. Witnesses said the attackers seemed very young, were wearing tight black clothing, carried Kalachnikov rifles, and reportedly shouted “allah u akbar” and mentioned Syria and Iraq during the attack. When police commandos finally raided the concert hall, two of the attackers were killed when they detonated their suicide vests, and the third was shot and killed by police.

One of the Bataclan attackers was Ismaïl Omar Mostefai. Another was, like one of the stadium bombers, carrying a Syrian passport.

Syrian Passports

Greek officials say that one of the Syrian passports found on the Paris attackers had been registered by a refugee in Greece, indicating the possibility that at least one of the attackers may have entered Europe as a migrant. It is also worth nothing, however, that due to the value of Syrian passports in the migrant community, it's possible that the passport's original owner and the attacker are not the same person. Regardless, this connection is sure to become a political wildfire in Europe, which is in the midst of the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. (Earlier, a Reuters report had suggested both Syrian passports had been processed in Greece, something officials there now strongly refute.)

Seventh Attacker Blew Himself Up

The seventh attacker, about whom nothing has yet been reported, detonated his suicide bomb inside the Voltaire restaurant in Paris' 11th district, seriously injuring a civilian.

TATP Explosives Used in Suicide Vests

According to a Paris prosecutor, all of the attackers wore explosives that were made from triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a favorite explosive material among terrorists that is easy to make and difficult to detect. It was also the type of explosive used by failed shoe bomber Richard Reid in 2001.

Possible Connection in Germany

In addition, German authorities reportedly believe that a 51-year-old Montenegrin man who was arrested in Germany on November 5 may be somehow linked to the Paris attacks. He was found in possession of firearms and a car full of explosives, and his car's GPS navigator was reportedly set to take him to Paris.

For a visual and chronological run through of Friday night's attacks, head here.