The world and its terrifying hauntings

(Baonghean) - Last week, the whole world was shaken by a series of pre-planned and organized terrorist attacks, causing a large number of casualties and spreading fear in the hearts of innocent people. From the double bombing in Beirut (Lebanon) to a series of terrorist attacks in the heart of Paris (France), the fear of terrorism is everywhere...

Terror in Paris: grief and anger

On the night of Friday, November 13, thousands of Parisians and tourists who love the city of light were carefreely enjoying the weekend evening, football fans were also attentively watching the friendly match between the French team and the German team. Everything was normal, until the horror broke out and spread throughout France. Bloodthirsty terrorists, armed with AK-47s, some even had bombs strapped to their bodies, began their criminal plan, attacking many locations throughout the capital Paris and coldly shooting, taking the lives of innocent people.

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

A series of coordinated attacks on the night of November 13th left at least 129 people dead and hundreds more injured. Scenes of chaos and mourning covered the entire country of France. The whole world was stunned, shocked and stunned by the barbaric crimes of the terrorists.

In total, they attacked six locations right in the center of Paris and the surrounding suburbs, all of which were crowded with people, especially 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 information from the spokeswoman of the Paris Prosecutor's Office, Ms. Agnès Thibault-Lecuivre, 7 extremists were identified as having either detonated suicide bombs or been killed after the attacks.

International public opinion has expressed sympathy and offered support to France, in the context of Paris' efforts to protect its people, strengthen border control measures and declare a state of emergency across the country.

According to a source from the White House, US President Barack Obama had a phone call with French President Francois Hollande, sending his deep condolences to the entire government, people and families of the unfortunate victims, and offering support to Paris in the investigation of the recent terrorist attack. Mr. Obama said:

“This attack is not just an attack on Paris, not just an attack on the French people, but an attack on all of humanity and on shared global values,” the US leader also stressed that the attacks were “an inhuman act of terror against innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent condolences to Mr. Hollande and the French people: "Russia strongly condemns this inhuman massacre and is ready to assist in investigating these terrorist crimes."

Governments of countries, including Vietnam, are also working closely with local authorities in Paris to determine whether their citizens are directly affected by the attacks and to plan to protect them in the current unstable situation.

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

Facing the recent tragedy, France has not yet recovered from its shock, but Mr. Hollande affirmed that when faced with terrorism, France will know how to protect itself, mobilize its forces and defeat the terrorists. A strong and resilient France, with the side by side of peace-loving countries that oppose terrorism, will be the driving force to help the French people firmly overcome this pain and terrifying obsession.

Double bombing in Beirut: a product of IS

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

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

The small Middle Eastern country, which neighbors Syria and Israel, was almost immediately plunged into a state of high emergency, facing the possibility of a new spiral of violence. AFP news agency reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam condemned the "barbaric act" and called for Lebanon to unite against plans aimed at causing division. Mr. Salam said the tragedy would "wake up politicians, so that they put aside their differences and come together to defend the country."

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

Two consecutive explosions by bombers using motorbikes on November 12 shook the entire capital of Lebanon, alarming both the authorities and innocent people, especially when in many years this area has rarely witnessed attacks of similar scale and damage.

IS has claimed responsibility for the attack, but given the information that the attack targeted the Shiite Hezbollah force, DW still needs to be cautious about this assessment, as there has been no video recording the attacks released by this notorious terrorist organization - which according to many analysts is quite unusual.

Although the motives behind the incident have not yet been determined, the Lebanese people were truly shocked by the number of casualties caused by the terrorists, not to mention the consequences of deep internal division within Lebanon.

International public opinion is also very interested in this information. Reacting to the bloody terrorist attack, Ms. Sigrid Kaag, currently holding the position of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims, while emphasizing the need to track down and bring the perpetrators to justice. In addition, the White House also strongly condemned, and said that these terrorist acts only strengthen the US commitment to support the Lebanese state.

Terrorism has now become the hottest keyword on mass media, especially when bloody and inhumane crimes continue every day, pushing society into a deep hole of loss and leaving unforgettable hauntings in the minds of many people.

Thu Giang