France marks five year anniversary since deadly terror attacks on Bataclan and cafes
In silence and mourning, France marked five years since 130 people were killed by Islamic State extremists who targeted the Bataclan concert hall, Paris cafes and the national stadium in a series of coordinated attacks.
It was France's deadliest peacetime attack, deeply shaking the nation.
It led to intensified French military action against extremists abroad and a security crackdown at home.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex, left, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo participate in a wreath laying ceremony, marking the 5th anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks outside the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 AP
Saint-Denis Mayor Mathieu Hanotin, left, and French Prime Minister Jean Castex participate in a wreath laying ceremony, marking the 5th anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks outside the stadium Stade de France in Saint Denis, near Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 AP
Five years later, Prime Minister Jean Castex was leading silent ceremonies on Friday at the multiple sites targeted by coordinated attackers around the French capital on November 13, 2015: the Stade de France in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, the Bataclan, and five cafes in eastern Paris where gunfire shattered the balmy Friday night.
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French Prime Minister Jean Castex, left, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo participate in a wreath laying ceremony, marking the 5th anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks outside the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 AP
The public could not join this year's commemorations because of France's partial virus lockdown.
The ceremonies came as France is again under high alert for terrorist attacks after three Islamic extremist attacks since September have killed four people.
A rose in a bullet hole with a note that translates to "In the name of what?" at La Belle Equipe in Paris France on Sunday 15 November 2015. Andrew Meares
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, left, and French Prime Minister Jean Castex, 2nd left, participate in a wreath laying ceremony, marking the 5th anniversary of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks outside the Bonne Biere cafe bar in Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 AP
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