The City of Lights experienced extreme darkness on Friday when targeted pockets of the region fell under the wrath of gunmen who proceeded to spray bullets on innocent attendees at Bataclan concert hall as well as patrons at nearby restaurants and bars.
The coordinated massacre ended with at least 150 people dead – most of them hostages that were killed at Bataclan. The rest were evidenced on the streets as lifeless bodies covered with bloody sheets lined the curbs.
The images are hauntingly affecting as the aftermath of the unspeakable violence that unfolded pierces through with no filter. In one photo you can spot an arm peeking through the sheets and next to that body – is another victim still wearing her booties – the top half of her blonde hair is visible. The scene seems is accommodated in front of a stylish eatery – Le Petit Cambodge.
The nightmare came to an end once security forces took control of the stunning situation and wiped out the attackers in one fell swoop. Though there is a possibility that there could be more on the loose – police believe that the 8 attackers who were killed officially closes the book on what has been a harrowingly devastating experience.
In the meantime Parisians have been advised to avoid the outdoors and seek refuge indoors as over a 1,000 military staff have been assigned to patrol the city.
It is not yet clear what motivated the gunmen but a witness recalls hearing one of them declare allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group as well as denounce Hollande’s alliance with the Western’s aggressiveness towards IS.
According to accounts provided to France’s trusted news agency AFP – the attacker was heard shouting, “It’s Hollande’s fault, he shouldn’t have intervened in Syria!”
This frightful development comes less than a year after the Charlie Hebdo calamity that saw at least 18 employees gunned down by Islamist terrorists in early January.
In perfect solidarity a massive crowd of people took to the streets of Paris declaring that despite the attack – they are “Not Afraid”.
World leaders including President Obama have condemned the attacks by pledging their support of Hollande in the name of peace and justice.
That is all any of us can ask for.