- Written by Andrew Harding
- Paris correspondent
France has increased security around the Parc des Princes ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-finals
Under clear blue skies, French police used force around Paris today, patrolling on foot near train stations and stadiums, warning that Islamic State may be planning attacks on European soccer events. The government is trying to reassure the public as new warnings are issued. .
The increased security in the French capital marks a moment of heightened concern across Europe, as governments seek to assess and respond to threats on pro-IS media channels.
For France itself, this comes as concerns grow that the French government is deliberately trying to spread doubt and fear about its ability to keep its citizens safe, as it prepares to host the Olympics in July. It's also a complicated time.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said security had been “significantly increased” before and after the Champions League quarter-final match at the Parc des Princes, southwest of Paris, on Wednesday night.
The move follows online threats against European sporting events that Darmanin said were “publicly expressed” by IS. Pro-IS media outlets have contacted supporters in France and elsewhere, and may have been emboldened by the recent attack on a Moscow concert hall claimed by IS.
Nearly 150 people killed in attack on Moscow's Crocus Town Hall music venue – IS claims
But Darmanin was keen to put this threat and the rising national threat level into context, stressing that the risk of an IS attack is “not new” and adding: “To me – and frankly… That said, there is no danger.'' Although we do not have specific information, we do not know which locations will be particularly affected and under what conditions. ”
He also pointed out that his forces, which have years of experience in combating Islamic extremism, have foiled two attacks since the beginning of the year and arrested five people in three different incidents in the past two weeks.
Two fans who traveled from Toulouse ahead of the PSG-Barcelona match were quick to dismiss the risks.
“We live under constant threat of terrorists and attacks, so even after these threats we have not stopped living and playing a great game,” said the 21-year-old Julien. .
“Do not be afraid,” declared Alexander. “If they're doing a communication campaign like this, the aim is above all to scare us and terrify us so that the French don't leave. So we We have to stay alive and show them that we are stronger than that.”
But across Europe, governments are growing concerned about the Islamic State group, known as the Islamic State group based in Afghanistan, ahead of a long summer of sporting and cultural events.
Germany now calls it its biggest domestic threat and is ramping up security ahead of this summer's European soccer championships, including the unprecedented step of introducing land border checks.
In recent months, there have been police raids targeting IS-K supporters in Germany, Belgium and Austria, with police reporting, for example, a failed New Year's Eve plot against Cologne Cathedral.
German police managed to thwart a planned attack on Cologne Cathedral on New Year's Eve
However, finding the right balance between security preparedness and public reassurance is never easy. France faces a particularly difficult challenge with the Olympics, which are scheduled to begin in just over 100 days with an unprecedented opening ceremony along the Seine in central Paris.
French right-wing newspaper Le Figaro has already warned that too much attention is being focused on the Islamic State threat, claiming that “Islamic State propagandists have already achieved some of their goals.”
French security expert Guillaume Faldet said it was important for a democracy like France to appear unafraid, otherwise “we would establish a climate of terrorism, a climate of distrust.” “We are playing the game of a terrorist organization that is trying to do something.”
France has experienced a number of tragic Islamist incidents in recent years, including the Charlie Hebdo newspaper murders in 2015, the Bataclan attacks in the same year, the Nice Bastille Day murders in 2016, and a series of brutal teacher murders. are doing.
Authorities responded with Operation Sentinel, a military unit focused on protecting people from terrorist threats. 20,000 soldiers will be involved in ensuring the security of the Paris Olympics, along with approximately 40,000 police and military police.
Army training ahead of the Olympics got into full swing Wednesday in Gap, southeastern France, with drills simulating knife attacks and hostage situations.
The lieutenant colonel overseeing France's 4th Cavalry Regiment had a reassuring message for those visiting Paris: “At my level, we are well prepared for this mission and my battalion is Olympic… I can only say that we are ready to protect our people during this period.” ”
French troops train in southeastern France ahead of the Olympics
But the war in Ukraine has added a new dimension, with President Emmanuel Macron warning that Russia posed a “risk” to the Olympics.
President Macron has taken an increasingly tough stance against the Kremlin, which appears to be responding at every opportunity with aggressive cyber campaigns aimed at discrediting France.
“I am not linking Russia to jihadist terrorist organizations. On the other hand, Russia is attempting other destabilizing actions,” Guillaume Falde said, citing online cybertrolling that seeks to spread false information. Give the example of a network that has ties to Russia and to amplify “bad news”.
For example, the French Ministry of Defense recently took the unusual step of publicly condemning a fake copy of its official website that appeared to invite 200,000 French citizens to “get involved” in Ukraine.
Analysts believe this is part of a broader Kremlin-backed campaign to weaken Western support for the Ukraine war effort.
