French prosecutor: 9th suspect in Paris terror attacks being sought

Byby Tiffany Wilson KGO logo
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
France seeks EU security aid, launches new airstrikes on ISIS
France made an unprecedented demand Tuesday that its European Union allies support its military action against the Islamic State group after the attacks in Paris.

GERMANY (KGO) -- Authorities are seeking a ninth suspect in Friday's attacks in Paris, a French prosecutor's spokeswoman told ABC News. The spokeswoman did not reveal any details about the suspect's identity.

France took unprecedented action Tuesday when it invoked the Mutual-Defense article of the EU Treaty. Now all 28 member nations must help France in its war against ISIS.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said all 27 of France's EU partners responded positively, and they could help "either by taking part in France's operations in Syria or Iraq, or by easing the load or providing support for France in other operations."

"Every country said: I am going to assist, I am going to help," Drian said.

VIDEO: France carries out raids, names more potential attackers

Arriving for talks in Brussels with his EU counterparts, Greek Defense Minister Panagiotis Kammenos told reporters that the Paris attacks were a game-changer for the bloc.

"This is Sept. 11 for Europe," he said.

French President Francois Hollande has vowed to forge a united coalition capable of defeating the jihadists at home and abroad. NATO allies were sharing intelligence and working closely with France, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.

Noting that victims of the Paris attacks came from at least 19 nations, Hollande says the international community, led by the U.S. and Russia, must overcome their deep-seated divisions over Syria to destroy IS on its home turf.

There are major new developments in the manhunt for those who carried out the Paris attacks. French officials say in addition to Salah Abdeslam, who they failed to capture in new raids overnight, there was another terrorist who took part and escaped.

The multinational manhunt continues for the eighth attacker, Abdeslam, and mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

"The mastermind selects and trains and motivates the suicide bombers, but he never kills himself," former national security official Richard Clarke said.

Abdeslam's brother told reporters that he should turn himself in.

Meantime, German police arrested five people Tuesday morning believed to be connected to Friday's terrorism. Two women and a man have already been released.

France increased its offensive against possible ISIS strongholds overnight. There were 128 new raids and more than a dozen airstrikes, bringing the total to 300 raids over two days.

VIDEO: Eiffel Tower illuminated in blue, white and red

French President Francois Hollande met with Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday.

While in D.C., members of the House received a classified briefing on the attack. Speaker Paul Ryan says what happened in Paris is an act of war requiring American leadership.

"The National Defense Bill I will sign later today requires the president to come up with a plan for defeating ISIS, not just containing but defeating ISIS," Ryan said.

MORE: Brother of Paris attack suspect calls for him to give up

Parisians are showing defiance by returning to the streets. Venues are encouraging people to embrace the slogan Tous Au Distrot, or "Everyone to the Bistro."

PHOTOS: Mourning the Paris attack victims

However, the Eiffle Tower is closed again Tuesday just hours after it reopened, illuminated in the French national colors.

Throughout the city, somber memorials pay tribute to the 129 victims and hundreds of injured.

A photo is going viral that shows a glimpse inside an emergency room Friday night. Twenty-nine people remain in critical condition.

Russia is ordering its troops to cooperate with the French military attacks in Syria. New video shows a series of airstrikes already launched by Russia Tuesday morning.

They attacked two Syrian provinces.

The strikes come after Russia announced that a bomb did bring down that Russian plane over Egypt last month, killing 224 people.

ISIS has claimed responsibility.

To further Russia's effort to cooperate with France, President Vladimir Putin will meet with French President Hollande next week, two days after Hollande meets with President Obama.

MORE: Officials say Germany soccer match canceled due to bomb threat

Major cities across the U.S. remain on heightened alert on Tuesday morning after ISIS promised in a new video to strike Washington, D.C.

Bay Area landmarks like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge haven't brought in extra officers, saying they have remained vigilant since 9/11.

But park police are asking the public to be watchful wherever they are.

Governors in more than half of all the U.S. states are vowing to close their borders to Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

VIDEO: Gov. Brown will allow Syrian refugees after vetting process

Authorities have revealed that one of the Paris attackers made his way to France after posing as a refugee. Now 26 governors have said they fear something similar could happen here, so they're closing their doors.

California Governor Jerry Brown takes a more moderate response, saying people escaping Syria are still welcome in California if they're vetted in a reliable way.

Some locals agree. "There is no need for anyone to be suspicious or scared of welcoming refugees among us," Catholic Charities of Santa Clara's Theresa Samuel-Boko said.

"To deny these people the right to come into our country and have a better life goes against everything this country is all about," Berkeley resident Kurt Worthington said.

MORE: Muslims speak out against ISIS following Paris attacks

The United Nations is urging people not to reject refugees.

Despite the stance of those governors who want to keep refugees out, it appears states can't legally stop someone who's fleeing once the federal government gives them legal status.

On Tuesday night, students at San Francisco State University will hold a vigil in honor of the victims in Paris, including a Cal State Long Beach student.

California native Nohemi Gonzalez, 23, was an industrial design student studying abroad in Paris.

VIDEO: Hundreds gather to remember Cal State Long Beach student killed in Paris

The vigil at SF State starts at 5 p.m. at Malcolm X Plaza in the center of campus.

Also, in Germany, an international soccer match between two friendly rivals has been cancelled.

MORE: Officials say Germany soccer match canceled due to bomb threat

Germany and Holland will not play. Police told the Associated Press they evacuated the stadium after finding a suspicious object inside.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was expected to attend the match, four days after the terrorist attacks in Paris.

For full coverage on the Paris attacks, click here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.