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Who's Behind The Hostage Situation In Paris?

by Kylie McConville

UPDATE: One day after ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Paris terror attacks, France reportedly launched airstrikes against the militant group in Syria, dropping 20 bombs in the area. Some targets were destroyed, according to reports, but not much else is known about the airstrikes.

One of the suspected suicide bombers has been identified as Ismael Omar Mostefai. Authorities also confirmed that seven of the assailants have died, and the attacks were carried out by three coordinated groups. Paris police, however, are currently hunting for an eighth attacker who may still be at large, who has been identified as 26-year-old Abdeslam Salah.

Officials have confirmed that a police raid in Belgium led to the arrests of seven individuals who may have ties to the attacks.

On Saturday, French president François Hollande has also put the blame on ISIS, calling their actions an "act of war." Said ISIS in a statement released less than 24 hours after the attacks:

France needs to know it still remains at the top of the target list of the Islamic State.

The death toll currently sits at about 130, with over 350 wounded. (One of those killed was an American woman studying abroad in France.) According to French Prosecutor François Molins, nearly 100 of those wounded are critically injured.

EARLIER: Three separate explosions and six shootings have taken place in several locations near the Stadium of France in Paris, France, reportedly killing numerous individuals. A hostage situation in Paris also led to the deaths of 100 people inside the Bataclan theater in Paris. Following a police raid, two assailants inside of the theater were killed. French police told press that they believe all attackers are dead.

The initial explosions took place outside of the Stade De France (the Stadium of France), where the French National Team was hosting the German National Team in a friendly match, the BBC reports. No official word yet on who held the individuals hostage. Police in Paris confirmed to CNN that several separate attacks took place and that the assailants used AK-47 automatic weapons. French President Hollande was also at the stadium at the time of the attacks, CNN notes, but has since been moved to safety. According to reports trickling in at FOX, the shooters are still on the loose. It is still unclear at this time whether or not the incidents are related.

The hostages were taken at the Bataclan Concert Hall where the Eagles of Death Metal were reportedly putting on a concert Friday. (The band reportedly escaped offstage.) Instagrams from inside reveal that the concert was underway at the time hostages were taken.

Reports are beginning to surface that President Hollande is aware of who the terrorists are, though no official word yet on exactly who Hollande thinks is behind the attack:

This story is developing ...

Image: Andrew Seaman/Flickr