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05/03/2024 05:46:02 am

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France ‘Not Afraid’ Of ISIL Threat; Won’t Back Down

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve at a news conference at the Interior Ministry in Paris, June 1, 2014.

(Photo : REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve at a news conference at the Interior Ministry in Paris, June 1, 2014.

France has reiterated it will remain steadfast in its fight against terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIL) amid threats from the latter to kill "spiteful and filthy French."

France is not afraid; we will not back down to their threats, said French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Monday. He said the ISIL threat must be destroyed, adding that their actions merely serve to fuel France's desire to combat them.

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Cazeneuve added that this was not the first time France has received such threats but sought to allay fears as he declared the full mobilization of all security forces to prevent possible attacks from the terrorist group.

The remarks were made after ISIL spokesperson Abu Mohammed al-Adnani released on audio statement online and calling on its supporters to kill civilians, The Telegraph relayed.

"If you can kill a disbelieving American or European - especially the spiteful and filthy French - or an Australian, or a Canadian or any other disbeliever...," the statement read. "Including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him."

Erin Marie Saltman, a senior analyst at think tank Quilliam said the ISIL's call to its supporters to kill disbelievers could hurt counter-terrorism efforts. Tracking down individual supporters will be tough and threat levels in Europe will likely remain at high as a result, Saltman explained.

Meanwhile, TERR(o)RISC counter-terrorism consultant Anne Giudicelli said ISIL was carrying out a psychological war but warned against official response to threats, adding that responding to such would only fuel the ISIL legitimacy for some.

However, Steven Emerson from the Investigative Project on Terrorism believes the threat was expected given the ISIL's increasing brazenness with the execution of American citizens.

France is home to majority of Europe's Muslim population. More than 900 citizens have already left the country to join the fighting in the Middle East, according to New Zealand news website Stuff.

Last week, French lawmakers voted on an anti-terrorism bill intended to staunch the influx of prospective jihadists in Iraq and Syria and prevent militant-trained French nationals from returning home to conduct their war.

French national Mehdi Nemmouche, a suspected Syrian terrorist, was detained by authorities during a routine check after he was found to be in possession of weapons and a video which he later admitted came from a shooting in Brussels.

Nemmouche's trial for the murder of four people on a Jewish Museum in Brussels earlier this year is still underway. 

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