The terrorists behind the Brussels bombings last month that killed 32 people had been planning to carry out a second attack in France but changed their mind at the last minute because law enforcement officers were closing in on them. “Numerous elements in the investigation have shown that the terrorist group initially had the intention to strike in France again,” Belgium’s federal prosecutor said in a statement issued on Sunday. “Surprised by the speed of progress in the investigation, they took the decision to strike in Brussels.”
“The specific targets in Paris were La Défense, a large office and commercial complex just northwest of Paris, as well as an unidentified Catholic association,” reports the New York Times, citing a former French intelligence officer.
The news of the planned attack in France “will reinforce concerns about an extensive network of people determined to launch carefully planned attacks in the heart of Europe but able to adapt their plans and still cause carnage,” notes the Wall Street Journal. In fact, authorities have pinpointed lots of links between the Paris and Brussels terrorists that at the very least suggest the two groups were part of a larger network.
“It is a dirty war which is unpleasant for France, for Belgium, or for the other nations in Western Europe, because no one is immune,” Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens said.
The news of the planned Paris attack comes shortly after Mohamed Abrini, who was wanted in connection with the November attacks, confessed to being the third bomber in the Brussels airport, popularly known as “the man in the hat” from the surveillance video. Abrini had been on the run from authorities for months after he was identified as the driver of a car used by the Paris attackers.
