Paris attacks 'likely directed and equipped' from Syria: US lawmaker

16 Nov, 2015

The attacks in Paris were likely directed and equipped from Syria, a US lawmaker said Sunday, warning it was a consequence of allowing Islamic State a sanctuary "with too much time to plan and plot."
"And unless that changes strategically, we can expect more attacks like this," said Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.
His comments on ABC's "This Week" come amid growing questions about a US-led strategy that has relied on air strikes to try to roll back IS in Syria and Iraq while picking off its leaders one by one.
The international response to the attacks was the focus of a summit in Turkey, including US President Barack Obama who vowed to stand by France and "redouble" efforts to wipe out jihadist networks.
French authorities, meanwhile, were working feverishly to identify the gunmen who opened fire on Friday night's crowds in Paris, killing at least 129 people in attacks at a stadium, a concert hall and bars and restaurants.
"This was an ISIS attack likely directed and equipped out of Syria," Schiff said, adding that France has been the primary focus of IS attacks for the past year.
"They have wanted to attack in public places like we saw, so tragically this week," he said.

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