The world and its terrifying hauntings.

(Baonghean) - Last week, the whole world was shaken by a series of premeditated and organized terrorist attacks, causing a significant number of casualties and sowing fear in the hearts of innocent people. From the double bombing in Beirut (Lebanon) to the series of coordinated terrorist attacks right in the heart of Paris (France), the haunting specter of terrorism is evident everywhere…

Paris terrorist attacks: grief and anger.

On Friday night, November 13th, thousands of Parisians and tourists who love the City of Lights were enjoying their weekend evening, and football fans were intently watching the friendly match between the French and German national teams. Everything was normal, until terror erupted and spread throughout France. Bloodthirsty terrorists, armed with AK-47s, some even having planted bombs on themselves, began their heinous plan, attacking multiple locations throughout Paris and coldly shooting, taking the lives of innocent people.

People around the world commemorated the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris, France, on the night of November 13. Photo: Reuters

The organized attacks on the night of November 13th left at least 129 people dead and hundreds more injured. Chaos and grief engulfed the whole of France. The world was stunned, shocked, and appalled by the barbaric crimes of the terrorists.

In total, they attacked six locations right in the heart of Paris and the surrounding suburbs, all of which were crowded places, especially with young people: restaurants, the Stade de France national stadium, a rock concert at the Bataclan theater with a capacity of up to 1,500 people,...

According to Agnès Thibault-Lecuivre, spokesperson for the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office, seven extremists were identified as having detonated suicide bombs or been killed following the attacks.

International public opinion has voiced its sympathy and offered support to France, as Paris strives to protect its citizens, strengthen border controls, and declare a state of emergency throughout the country.

According to sources from the White House, US President Barack Obama had a phone call with French President Francois Hollande, expressing his deepest condolences to the entire government, people, and families of the victims, and offering assistance to Paris in the investigation into the recent terrorist attack. Obama said:

“This attack was not just aimed at Paris, not just at the French people, but it was an attack on all of humanity and shared global values.” The US president also emphasized that the attacks were “inhuman acts of terror against innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his condolences to Mr. Hollande and the French people: “The Russian side strongly condemns this inhumane massacre and is ready to assist in the investigation of these terrorist crimes.”

Governments of various countries, including Vietnam, are also working diligently with the Paris authorities to determine whether any of their citizens were directly affected by the attacks and to plan for their protection amidst the current instability.

The horrific attacks on the night of November 13th in Paris once again rekindled the pain from the terrorist attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, which killed 12 people and injured 11 others. Some even compared this bloody series of attacks to the 9/11 attacks in the United States, which cast a dark shadow over the world for a long time.

Despite the recent tragedy, France is still reeling from the shock, but President Hollande affirmed that, when faced with terrorism, France will know how to defend itself, mobilize its forces, and defeat the terrorists. A strong and resilient France, with the solidarity of peace-loving nations that reject terrorism, will be the driving force helping the French people to steadfastly overcome this pain and horrific trauma.

Double bombing in Beirut: a product of ISIS.

Just one day before the Paris attacks, Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, was hit by two consecutive suicide bombings targeting a bustling area in the southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement, killing 43 people and injuring more than 240.

The scene of the double bombing in Beirut, Lebanon on November 12. Photo: AFP

The small Middle Eastern nation, a neighbor of Syria and Israel, was almost immediately plunged into a state of heightened emergency, facing the prospect of a new spiral of violence. AFP reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam condemned the "barbaric act" and called for unity in Lebanon against divisive schemes. Salam stated that this tragedy would "awaken politicians, prompting them to set aside their differences and work together to defend the country."

This was the first attack in over a year in a Hezbollah stronghold, a region backed by Iran and believed to be sending fighters to Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad's government against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Two consecutive explosions by bombers using motorcycles on November 12th rocked the Lebanese capital, alarming both authorities and innocent civilians, especially since the region had rarely witnessed attacks of this scale and destructive power in recent years.

While ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, DW notes that caution is advised regarding claims that the attack targeted Shiite Hezbollah forces, as no video footage of the attacks has been released by the notorious terrorist organization – something many analysts consider quite unusual.

Although the motives behind the attack remain unclear, the Lebanese people were truly shocked by the number of casualties inflicted by the terrorists, not to mention the resulting deep internal divisions within Lebanon.

International public opinion has also paid close attention to this information. Responding to the bloody terrorist attack, Sigrid Kaag, currently the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, strongly condemned the attack and expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the victims, while emphasizing the need to find and bring the perpetrators to justice. In addition, the White House also strongly condemned the attack, stating that these acts of terrorism only reinforce the US commitment to supporting the State of Lebanon.

Terrorism has become the hottest keyword in the media, especially as bloody and inhumane crimes continue to occur daily, plunging society into a deep abyss of loss and leaving indelible scars on the minds of many.

Thu Giang