France raises terror alert level after Moscow massacre

The French government raised its terror alert warning to the highest level following the concert hall shootings in Moscow which left almost 140 people dead, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said late Sunday.

“Given the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the [national security alert] to the highest level: Attack Emergency,” Attal said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The decision was made after a meeting of the French security Cabinet, which was also attended by President Emmanuel Macron.

France’s terror alert system has three levels. The highest level is declared if it is assumed that an attack is imminent.

It allows for heightened security measures, including increased patrols by military personnel in public areas such as train stations, airports and religious sites.

The decision comes four months before Paris hosts the Olympic Games. France has already scaled down the opening ceremony, which will take place in July on the River Seine, amid concerns over a theoretical Islamist terror attack.