As France marks the 10th anniversary of the Bataclan massacres, another reminder has come of the permanence of the jihadist threat.
A former girlfriend of Salah Abdeslam, the only jihadist to survive the November 2015 attacks, has been arrested on suspicion of plotting her own violent act. The woman, a 27-year-old French convert to Islam named Maëva B, had been in correspondence with Abdeslam, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the attacks.
Authorities discovered that Abdeslam had received jihadist propaganda during visits with Maëva B, prompting an investigation into her activities. Detectives found evidence suggesting she may have been planning a jihadist attack, leading to her placement under judicial investigation along with two associates.
As France commemorates the worst attack in its modern history, this incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by radical elements within the country. The 2015 attacks had resulted in the tragic loss of 130 lives, with 90 of those occurring at the Bataclan concert hall alone.
The attackers, mainly young men of North African origin, had been recruited in Belgium and France and trained in IS territory in the Middle East. Despite the decline of Islamic State's influence, experts warn that the nature of the threat has evolved into a more 'ambient' jihadism, characterized by home-grown extremists.
Commemoration events are set to take place throughout the day at various attack sites. The Eiffel Tower will be illuminated in the colors of the French flag as a tribute to the victims.
Amidst reflections on the past, Abdeslam has indicated a willingness to engage in 'restorative justice', prompting mixed reactions from victims' families, highlighting the emotional complexities that persist even a decade later.
