French Officials Identify Mastermind of Attacks, Reveal One Bomber Came in with Refugees

After the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, French officials have been desperately searching for the perpetrators of the crime, and believe they have identified the mastermind of the attacks.

On Saturday morning, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks that took the lives of 129 people, according to ABC News.

Officials have identified who they believe to be the mastermind of the attacks, although they are still seeking to apprehend him.

Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a member of the Islamic State, is thought to have played a key role in the attacks. He has since escaped to Syria. 

At least 10 people are on the suspect list, including a suicide bomber who is thought to have come into the country along with other Syrian refugees. 

Greek authorities released reports saying that the man, identified as Ahmad Almohammad, came over on a boat from Turkey with 200 other refugees. He then made his way through Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, and then Austria where his trail was lost.

Almohammad reportedly attempted to enter the Paris soccer stadium where attacks would occur, but was denied entrance by security guards. He then detonated his suicide vest, killing himself and a bystander. His Syrian passport somehow survived the explosion and gave officials a clue in their search to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks.

ABC News also reports that U.S. officials have said that ISIS has created a new unit of its organization dedicated to attacking the West.

Publication date: November 16, 2015