Macron says Islamists who hit Russia had tried to attack France

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference on the day of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium March 22, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) -President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that the gunmen who killed 137 people in a concert hall outside Moscow were part of an Islamic State branch that was behind foiled attempts to attack France over the past few months.

This explains why the French government on Sunday increased the country's security alert to its highest level, Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said. More soldiers will be put on standby and ready to patrol sensitive sites, including schools.