President of France Emmanuel Macron promised to increase border control measures and shutdown illegal immigration in an effort to combat the recently increasing “terrorist risk.”
The country’s plan to crack down on border security issues comes days after an Islamic jihadist killed three people attending church at the Notre Dame Basilica in the city of Nice earlier this month. The assailant attacked the victims with a knife, decapitating one victim, Fox News reported.
Tunisian Ibrahim Issaoui, the 21-year-old attacker, is thought to have moved throughout Italy illegally before crossing into France. According to Fox News, Issaoui was taken to a French hospital after sustaining injuries during his arrest by French authorities.
“We see very clearly that terrorist actions can actually be led by some people who use migratory flows to threaten our territory,” he said during a visit to the border with Spain. “So, we must reinforce our controls for reasons of national security.”
Following the attack, France elevated its security alert to the maximum level on October 29. In addition, Macron predicted more concerns about Europe’s safety.
The police presence on the border will be increased from 2,400 to 4,800.
President Macron’s vow to quell illegal immigration and terrorism comes amid condemnation from the Muslim world for allowing satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad and of Turkey’s President Recept Tayyip Erdogan.
After Macron referred to Islam as a religion “in crisis” globally, the Turkish president called for boycotts of French products, asserting that the French president’s views of Islam required mental treatment.
“Attacks in France, in Austria a few days ago in Vienna, show us that the terrorist risk is everywhere, that (terrorist) networks are global, which forces Europe to intensify its response,” Macron said, adding that their security proposal for Paris will be presented at a European summit in December.
ISIS claimed credit for the deadly shooting spree in the capital city of Vienna, Austria, earlier this month. At least four people were killed during the terrorist attack. Fourteen others were wounded, seven with life-threatening injuries. The gunman, who was later identified as 20-year-old Kujitim Fejzulai, was shot and killed by police, NPR reported.
Tuesday morning, Macron called for “rapid and coordinated” European response to terror attacks during an online summit with fellow European Union leaders.
“The internet is a space of freedom, our social networks too, but this freedom exists only if there is security and if it is not the refuge of those who flout our values or seek to indoctrinate with deadly ideologies,” he said.
