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St-Denis raid: loud booms and gunfire shatter silence of suburban morning St-Denis raid: loud booms and gunfire shatter silence of suburban morning
(about 1 hour later)
4am4am
Five days after the murderous attacks in Paris, the city was asleep. But in St-Denis, a town in the northern suburbs, a major operation was under way in the dark. France’s rapid intervention brigade moved silently, closing in on two inconspicuous and down-at-heel side-street: rue du Corbillon and rue Fontaine.Five days after the murderous attacks in Paris, the city was asleep. But in St-Denis, a town in the northern suburbs, a major operation was under way in the dark. France’s rapid intervention brigade moved silently, closing in on two inconspicuous and down-at-heel side-street: rue du Corbillon and rue Fontaine.
The information was precise. It came from telephone intercepts. The suspected “mastermind” of the Paris shootings, Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, had been traced. Last seen in Raqqa, Syria, he was seemingly back in France, a mere 2km away from the Stade de France, the scene of three suicide bombings on Friday. Apparently with him was Salah Abdeslam, the fugitive terrorist whose brother Brahim blew himself up in the Comptoir Voltaire cafe. And other unidentified suspects. The information was precise. It came from telephone intercepts. And bank records. The suspected “mastermind” of the Paris shootings, Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, had been traced. Last seen in Raqqa, Syria, he was seemingly back in France, a mere mile and a half (2km) away from the Stade de France, the scene of three suicide bombings on Friday. Apparently with him was Salah Abdeslam, the fugitive terrorist whose brother Brahim blew himself up in the Comptoir Voltaire cafe, as well as other unidentified suspects.
Related: Paris attacks: suspected mastermind Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud was target of raids – latest newsRelated: Paris attacks: suspected mastermind Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud was target of raids – latest news
The trail led to 8 rue du Corbillon. The address was, improbably, a primary school, the Jules Guesdes elementary. The beige-painted modern building overlooks a playground; its entrance is a grand remnant from an older structure, with columns and a portico; the ground floor is home to classrooms and 326 pupils. The trail led to 8 rue du Corbillon. The address was, improbably, a primary school, the Jules Guesdes elementary. The beige modern building overlooks a playground; its entrance is a grand remnant from an older structure, with columns and a portico; the ground floor is home to classrooms and 326 pupils.
Upstairs were a series of rundown private apartments, including a squat. Inside, police believed, were Abu Oud and his accomplices. The assumption was that they were armed and highly dangerous; the operation perilous.Upstairs were a series of rundown private apartments, including a squat. Inside, police believed, were Abu Oud and his accomplices. The assumption was that they were armed and highly dangerous; the operation perilous.
The road, with its hairdresser, car repair workshop and shabby bar, has had problems in the past: with junkies, one of whom opened fire last year with a gun. But this was different. St-Denis is a historic town better known for its Gothic basilica and association with early French kings. It was about to be transformed into an Afghanistan-like theatre of war.The road, with its hairdresser, car repair workshop and shabby bar, has had problems in the past: with junkies, one of whom opened fire last year with a gun. But this was different. St-Denis is a historic town better known for its Gothic basilica and association with early French kings. It was about to be transformed into an Afghanistan-like theatre of war.
4.20am4.20am
The rapid intervention brigade, heavily armed, approached the target. Their objective was two third-floor apartments at number 8. It’s unclear who shot first but suddenly there was ferocious fire coming from inside. The suspects were better armed than the police had initially expected. A full-blown gun battle erupted. The rapid intervention brigade, heavily armed, approached the target. Their objective was two third-floor apartments at No 8. The police placed an explosive charge on the door. It blew but the reinforced door did not give way. Alerted, the terrorists had time to respond. Suddenly, there was ferocious fire coming from inside. The suspects were better armed than the police had initially expected. A full-blown gun battle erupted.
Neighbours woke to apocalyptic sounds: loud booms, the rattle of automatic gunfire, shouts. The suspects fought back. Over the next 15 minutes there were bursts of Kalashnikov fire. Local residents in the central St-Denis area were rudely jolted awake; it seemed that Paris’s Friday nightmare had a real, ongoing sequel. Neighbours woke to apocalyptic sounds: loud booms, the rattle of automatic gunfire, shouts. The suspects fought back. Over the next 15 minutes there were bursts of Kalashnikov fire. Residents in the central St-Denis area were rudely jolted awake; it seemed that Paris’s Friday nightmare had a sequel.
“I was woken up by explosions. For about 15-20 minutes there were bursts of automatic gunfire, and individual shots. From our window we could see flashes of light - gunfire, as if grenades had been thrown. Afterwards helicopters arrived with spotlights, lighting up the roof,” one young mother told Le Monde. She added: “We turned on the lights so the children were less scared.” “I was woken up by explosions. For about 15-20 minutes there were bursts of automatic gunfire, and individual shots. From our window we could see flashes of light – gunfire, as if grenades had been thrown. Afterwards helicopters arrived with spotlights, lighting up the roof,” one young mother told Le Monde. She added: “We turned on the lights so the children were less scared.”
Nabil Guerram, 36, who lives near St-Denis basilica, said: “I was woken with a start at 4.20 by the sound of extremely heavy gunfire. My children were crying. There was non-stop fire for 20-25 minutes, then calm, then it started up again for a very long time.” Another local, Mathilde Bouttemy, said: “I was woken at 4.30am by explosions. I thought it was bombs. Afterwards I heard bursts of gunfire from a Kalashnikov, from 4.30am to 4.45am.” Nabil Guerram, 36, who lives near St-Denis basilica, said: “I was woken with a start at 4.20am by the sound of extremely heavy gunfire. My children were crying. There was non-stop fire for 20-25 minutes, then calm, then it started up again for a very long time.” Another local, Mathilde Bouttemy, said: “I was woken at 4.30am by explosions. I thought it was bombs. Afterwards I heard bursts of gunfire from a Kalashnikov, from 4.30am to 4.45am.”
According to police sources, a woman at the apartment had been under surveillance for several days, on suspicion that she was sheltering Abu Oud and other suspects. Other information came from witnesses. At 4.30am the local mayor, Denis Paillard, arrived. According to police sources, a woman at the apartment had been under surveillance for several days, suspected of sheltering Abu Oud and other suspects. Other information came from witnesses. At 4.30am the local mayor, Denis Paillard, arrived.
4.50am 4.45am
Three suspects were arrested fleeing the apartment. They ran straight into the arms of officers in black jackets from France’s Raid anti-terrorist unit who led them out calmly into the street. They were taken in the dark past a line of parked cars and beyond the zone of conflict. Three suspects were arrested fleeing the apartment. One had an arm wound. They ran straight into the arms of officers in black jackets from France’s Raid anti-terrorist unit who led them out calmly into the street. They were taken in the dark past a line of parked cars and beyond the zone of conflict.
Related: What do we know about the St-Denis raids?
5am5am
News of the assault spread rapidly via Twitter and social media. The gun battle continued. Some 110 heavily armed, elite officers were involved. In Rue Fontaine, they rained fire into the back of the flat from the roof of a building opposite, witnesses said, shooting across the narrow alley. Police began evacuating residents from neighbouring apartments, funnelling them out into the still-dark street and to safety. News of the assault spread rapidly via Twitter and social media. The gun battle continued. Some 110 heavily armed elite officers were involved. In rue Fontaine, they rained fire into the back of the flat from the roof of a building opposite, witnesses said, shooting across the narrow alley. Police began evacuating residents from neighbouring apartments, funnelling them out into the still-dark street and to safety.
In the immediate vicinity, police sealed off both roads with a 500-metre cordon. Ambulances arrived. The first journalists scrambled to the scene. The picture was confused: frequent percussive rumbles could be heard, but the nature of the armed operation under way was unclear.In the immediate vicinity, police sealed off both roads with a 500-metre cordon. Ambulances arrived. The first journalists scrambled to the scene. The picture was confused: frequent percussive rumbles could be heard, but the nature of the armed operation under way was unclear.
Slowly but surely, the rapid intervention force was prevailing. The officers had the flat completely surrounded with snipers and special forces.Slowly but surely, the rapid intervention force was prevailing. The officers had the flat completely surrounded with snipers and special forces.
6.15am6.15am
After an hour and a half of furious exchanges, there was a lull in the fighting. And then something unexpected happened: a woman appeared at the window of the third-floor apartment. She was said to be the cousin of Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, the alleged “mastermind”, born in 1989 and a French citizen. What happened next was bloody and unprecedented. A sound engineer recorded the exchange: After an hour and a half of furious exchanges, there was a lull in the fighting. And then something unexpected happened: a woman appeared at the window of the third-floor apartment. She was said to be the cousin of Abu Oud, the alleged “mastermind”, born in 1989 and a French citizen. What happened next was bloody and unprecedented. A sound engineer recorded the exchange:
The police shouted twice: “Where’s your friend?”The police shouted twice: “Where’s your friend?”
Each time she replied, her tone frantic: “It’s not my friend.”Each time she replied, her tone frantic: “It’s not my friend.”
A second later there was a dramatic explosion.A second later there was a dramatic explosion.
One eyewitness, Christian, 20, gave an account to Le Parisien newspaper. He said: “During a 10 or 15 minute lull in the shooting I heard a woman shouting: ‘Help, help, help me!’ The police asked her to identify herself and to show herself. She showed her hands but she didn’t reveal her face. She withdrew them and then put them up again several times. They shouted at her: ‘Keep your hands in the air!’ They told her: ‘We’re going to shoot.’ One eyewitness, Christian, 20, gave an account to Le Parisien newspaper. He said: “During a 10- or 15-minute lull in the shooting I heard a woman shouting: ‘Help, help, help me!’ The police asked her to identify herself and to show herself. She showed her hands, but she didn’t reveal her face. She withdrew them and then put them up again several times. They shouted at her: ‘Keep your hands in the air!’ They told her: ‘We’re going to shoot.’
“The shooting resumed. The police were firing from the roof of the building opposite. Suddenly there was an enormous explosion [from the window, inside the flat]. It was probably the woman who blew herself up. The windows shattered. Lots of objects from the apartment were thrown into the street, pieces of human flesh as well. They are still there. You can see a bit of the head, of skin, of ribs.”“The shooting resumed. The police were firing from the roof of the building opposite. Suddenly there was an enormous explosion [from the window, inside the flat]. It was probably the woman who blew herself up. The windows shattered. Lots of objects from the apartment were thrown into the street, pieces of human flesh as well. They are still there. You can see a bit of the head, of skin, of ribs.”
Another witness, Thibault Chaffotte, told Liberation: “I heard police talking about a blonde woman with long hair. I believe this was the suicide bomber. They told her: ‘Don’t lower your arms. Put your hands in the air.’ Afterwards, there was a very loud explosion. I think that’s when she activated her bomb. It was big. Many of the windows in the road shattered.” Another witness, Thibault Chaffotte, told Libération: “I heard police talking about a blonde woman with long hair. I believe this was the suicide bomber. They told her: ‘Don’t lower your arms. Put your hands in the air.’ Afterwards, there was a very loud explosion. I think that’s when she activated her bomb. It was big. Many of the windows in the road shattered.”
This was France’s – and western Europe’s – first ever female suicide bombing. A second suspect also died, killed either by the massive explosion or by a sniper. Five police officers were lightly wounded, as well as a firefighter. The explosion collapsed the floor into the apartment below. This was France’s – and western Europe’s – first ever female suicide bombing. A second suspect also died, killed either by the massive explosion or by a sniper. His body was riddled with bullets. Five police officers were lightly wounded, as well as a firefighter. The explosion collapsed the floor into the apartment below.
The suicide bombing was another grim milestone, after five extraordinary days that began on Friday with the murder of 129 people, orchestrated by the same cell seemingly holed up in rue du Corbillon. The woman was named as Hasna Aitboulahcen, a French-Moroccan national. She grew up in the Paris region, ran her own building company until 2012, Beko Construction, and was known to the intelligence services. Minutes before she died she was seen making a phone call. She may have alerted accomplices who were still in the area.The suicide bombing was another grim milestone, after five extraordinary days that began on Friday with the murder of 129 people, orchestrated by the same cell seemingly holed up in rue du Corbillon. The woman was named as Hasna Aitboulahcen, a French-Moroccan national. She grew up in the Paris region, ran her own building company until 2012, Beko Construction, and was known to the intelligence services. Minutes before she died she was seen making a phone call. She may have alerted accomplices who were still in the area.
6.20am6.20am
The rapid intervention brigade arrested two more people from 8 rue du Corbillon. They included Jawad Bendaoud, the landlord of the apartment where the suspects were staying, and a female friend.The rapid intervention brigade arrested two more people from 8 rue du Corbillon. They included Jawad Bendaoud, the landlord of the apartment where the suspects were staying, and a female friend.
Before he was handcuffed and taken away by police, Bendaoud protested his innocence to French media. He told AFP: “A friend asked me to put up two of his friends for a few days. I said there was no mattress. They told me: ‘It’s not a problem.’ They just wanted water and to pray.” He added: “I was asked to do a favour, I did a favour. I didn’t know they were terrorists. I didn’t know where they came from. I didn’t know anything.” The female friend said she’d slept in the apartment herself last week and it was a “kind of squat”. The two visitors arrived two days ago, she said. Before he was handcuffed and taken away by police, Bendaoud protested his innocence to French media. He told AFP: “A friend asked me to put up two of his friends for a few days. I said there was no mattress. They told me: ‘It’s not a problem.’ They just wanted water and to pray.” He added: “I was asked to do a favour, I did a favour. I didn’t know they were terrorists. I didn’t know where they came from. I didn’t know anything.” The female friend said she had slept in the apartment herself last week and it was a “kind of squat”. The two visitors arrived two days ago, she said.
6.40am6.40am
The police and mayor’s office in St-Denis sent out a series of urgent public safety announcements. They urged residents to stay indoors, with their windows closed. All schools and educational institutions in the town were to remain shut, the authorities said. And public transport was suspended. The line 13 Métro station – a vital artery for workers heading south into the centre of Paris – was closed.The police and mayor’s office in St-Denis sent out a series of urgent public safety announcements. They urged residents to stay indoors, with their windows closed. All schools and educational institutions in the town were to remain shut, the authorities said. And public transport was suspended. The line 13 Métro station – a vital artery for workers heading south into the centre of Paris – was closed.
The shooting briefly halted. After about five minutes it resumed again. Several suspects were still holed up in the apartment.The shooting briefly halted. After about five minutes it resumed again. Several suspects were still holed up in the apartment.
7am7am
The army arrived, lending a further surreal element to what would ordinarily be a suburban morning on Paris’s working-class periphery. Soldiers armed with rifles and fatigues patrolled on the edge of the operation. Some citizens reacted to the dramatic events being shown live on TV with sang-froid. Others with fear. A young man who has come down to the police line near St-Denis’s grand town hall building said his father, aged 60, lives in a building very close to the raid: “He has barricaded himself into the bathroom. He’s panicked. He’s just waiting for orders from police.” The army arrived, lending a further surreal element to what would ordinarily be a suburban morning on Paris’s working-class periphery. Soldiers armed with rifles and fatigues patrolled on the edge of the operation. Some citizens reacted to the dramatic events being shown live on TV with sangfroid. Others with fear. A young man who came down to the police line near St-Denis’s grand town hall building said his father, aged 60, lives in a building very close to the raid. “He has barricaded himself into the bathroom. He’s panicked. He’s just waiting for orders from police.”
7.30am7.30am
A series of four or five big explosions could be heard across the town, an unmistakeable rumbling. Writing on Twitter, Caroline Piquet reported a “series of enormous explosion, sounds like grenades”. It appeared the operation was entering its final stages.A series of four or five big explosions could be heard across the town, an unmistakeable rumbling. Writing on Twitter, Caroline Piquet reported a “series of enormous explosion, sounds like grenades”. It appeared the operation was entering its final stages.
Two suspects were still holed up inside and defiant, and apparently now on the landing next to the destroyed flat. The police had sent a dog, named Diesel, up on to the third floor to ascertain how dangerous it was; the suspect shot it. Officers next sent in a robot.Two suspects were still holed up inside and defiant, and apparently now on the landing next to the destroyed flat. The police had sent a dog, named Diesel, up on to the third floor to ascertain how dangerous it was; the suspect shot it. Officers next sent in a robot.
Fatima Bourahli, 26, stood in the street with a coat on over her pyjamas looking over at the police line. Soldiers crouched with automatic weapons on corners. “I live not far from the stadium and we’d already heard the explosions of the two attacks on Friday night,” she said. “My daughter is six and she’s scared and confused. The schools here are shut today, children are staying home. People are really scared and pretty tense. The government says we’re at war.” Fatima Bourahli, 26, stood in the street with a coat over her pyjamas looking over at the police line. Soldiers crouched with automatic weapons on corners. “I live not far from the stadium and we’d already heard the explosions of the two attacks on Friday night,” she said. “My daughter is six and she’s scared and confused. The schools here are shut today, children are staying home. People are really scared and pretty tense. The government says we’re at war.”
Didi Wafae, 63, who lives a few streets away from the raid, added: “People are really scared.” Djamila Khaldi, a 54-year-old cleaner who lives near the St-Denis basilica, which draws vast numbers of tourists each year, said: “I heard the shots and I just thought, there must be some kind of stand-off, terrorists must be hiding here. Already since Friday’s attacks there was a heavy atmosphere here. What can you say? Terrorism has come to St-Denis, the mood has changed and it will stay that way. People are distrustful, looking at each other. St-Denis will be labelled for this now. It’s a real shame.” Didi Wafae, 63, who lives a few streets away from the raid, added: “People are really scared.” Djamila Khaldi, a 54-year-old cleaner who lives near the St-Denis basilica, which draws vast numbers of tourists each year, said: “I heard the shots and I just thought, there must be some kind of standoff, terrorists must be hiding here. Already since Friday’s attacks there was a heavy atmosphere here. What can you say? Terrorism has come to St-Denis, the mood has changed and it will stay that way. People are distrustful, looking at each other. St-Denis will be labelled for this now. It’s a real shame.”
8.05am8.05am
France’s justice minister, Christiane Taubira, tweeted that the operation was over – prematurely, it turned out.France’s justice minister, Christiane Taubira, tweeted that the operation was over – prematurely, it turned out.
9.30am9.30am
Politicians in St-Denis tried to make sense of the astonishing events of early Wednesday morning that unfolded on their doorstep. Zaia Boughilas, local councillor for the Green party, arrived at the town hall for an urgent meeting called by the mayor as the police operation entered its final stages. “There was already very strong emotion here after Friday,” she said. Politicians in St-Denis tried to make sense of the astonishing events of early Wednesday morning that unfolded on their doorstep. Zaia Boughilas, a councillor for the Green party, arrived at the town hall for an urgent meeting called by the mayor as the police operation entered its final stages. “There was already very strong emotion here after Friday,” she said.
She said the town of 106,000 people, which has a large working-class population, was diverse, with its own share of “social distress” – such as unemployment – but that it was a vibrant “very welcoming, open place”.She said the town of 106,000 people, which has a large working-class population, was diverse, with its own share of “social distress” – such as unemployment – but that it was a vibrant “very welcoming, open place”.
10.00am10.00am
A government meeting was held at the Élysée Palace as the operation continued. The authorities confirmed that five police were injured during the shootout, none seriously. Given that the suspects were heavily armed, the morning could be marked as a major success.A government meeting was held at the Élysée Palace as the operation continued. The authorities confirmed that five police were injured during the shootout, none seriously. Given that the suspects were heavily armed, the morning could be marked as a major success.
10.28am10.28am
Police discovered two more suspects hiding under the rubble of the utterly wrecked apartment. Officers ordered them to strip, fearing they may have explosive belts. They were taken away. Photographers captured one man being escorted by police into the street, naked from the waist down. Police discovered two more suspects hiding under the rubble of the utterly wrecked apartment. One of them was injured. Officers ordered them to strip, fearing they may have explosive belts. They were taken into custody. Photographers captured one man being escorted by police into the street, naked from the waist down.
In total, seven people were detained. They included the three suspects found inside the apartment, the two who tried to conceal themselves, and the landlord of the property, who denied wrongdoing, and his friend. In total, eight people were detained. The tally included the three suspects found inside the apartment, the two who tried to conceal themselves, the landlord of the property, who denied wrongdoing, and his friend. Plus a man found wounded on the street.
The flat was a scene of devastation. From Rue Fontaine, bullets had ripped holes in the external masonry; inside you could see the shredded remains of furniture; the window frames had been shot out. The battle was clearly one of extreme violence. The flat was a scene of devastation. The police had used more than 5,000 munitions. From rue Fontaine, bullets had ripped holes in the external masonry; inside you could see the shredded remains of furniture; the window frames had been shot out. The battle was clearly one of extreme violence.
11.37am 11.37am-7.09pm
The operation was over. It had lasted seven hours. Two suspects were dead, seven arrested. Police were trying to verify if the suspected “mastermind”, Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, was among those detained or killed. The likelihood was that he remains at large. The operation was over. It had lasted seven hours. Two suspects were dead, eight arrested. Police were trying to verify if the suspected “mastermind”, Abu Oud, was among those detained or killed.
7.09pm
Paris public prosecutor François Molins gave a press conference. He said the police were not able to give an exact number of dead found at the scene, or confirm the identities of the two bodies so far recovered. He said the flat was dangerously damaged and was threatening to collapse, putting investigators at risk. “Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud and Salah Abdeslam were not among those being held in custody,” he said. The unidentified body could be Abu Oud, but tantalisingly there was no immediate confirmation.