How did Europe let ISIS mastermind slip in?
- 9 years ago
The Islamic State jihadist suspected of orchestrating the Paris attacks was killed in a major police raid in the French capital, prosecutors confirmed Thursday, raising troubling questions about a breakdown in intelligence and European border security.
Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian of Moroccan origin linked to a series of extremist plots in Europe over the past two years, died in Wednesday's assault by police on an apartment in northern Paris.
The 28-year-old was thought to have been in Syria - where he had boasted of planning attacks on the West - and his presence in France will renew debate about Europe's border controls and monitoring of fighters returning from the war-torn country.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said some of the attackers had taken advantage of Europe's migrant crisis to "slip in" unnoticed and warned the cherished passport-free Schengen zone would be in danger if the bloc did not improve border controls.
Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian of Moroccan origin linked to a series of extremist plots in Europe over the past two years, died in Wednesday's assault by police on an apartment in northern Paris.
The 28-year-old was thought to have been in Syria - where he had boasted of planning attacks on the West - and his presence in France will renew debate about Europe's border controls and monitoring of fighters returning from the war-torn country.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls said some of the attackers had taken advantage of Europe's migrant crisis to "slip in" unnoticed and warned the cherished passport-free Schengen zone would be in danger if the bloc did not improve border controls.