France Foils Three Attack Plots Aimed at Paris Olympics and Paralympics

French authorities have successfully thwarted three separate plots aimed at attacking the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, as well as other cities that hosted the summer events. The national counterterrorism prosecutor, Olivier Christen, disclosed these developments on Wednesday. The plots were reportedly linked to plans targeting “Israeli institutions or representatives of Israel in Paris,” though Christen clarified that the Israeli team participating in the games was not specifically targeted.

The investigations led to the arrest of five individuals, including one minor, who are suspected of being involved in these foiled attacks. The suspects face a range of terrorism-related charges and are currently in pretrial detention. The arrests were made as part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and security of the high-profile international events held against a backdrop of significant global tensions.

The thwarted plots come amid heightened security concerns due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the war in Ukraine. These global conflicts have heightened the level of vigilance and preventive measures taken by French security forces to protect both domestic and international events from potential threats.

Authorities have not provided further details about the specific nature of the plots or the suspects’ motivations. However, the successful prevention of these attacks underscores the ongoing challenges faced by security agencies in safeguarding major international events from terrorism and ensuring public safety.

France maintained its highest security alert level in the months leading up to the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, which concluded last week. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin had consistently warned of various security threats during the preparations, including risks from Islamic extremist groups, violent environmental activists, far-right factions, and potential cyberattacks from Russia or other adversaries.

In May, the General Directorate of Internal Security arrested an 18-year-old man from Chechnya on suspicion of plotting an attack on Olympic soccer events in the southern city of Saint-Étienne. The planned attack was intended to target “bar-type establishments around the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium.” The suspect is alleged to have planned the attack in alignment with the jihadi ideology of the Islamic State group.

The prosecutor noted that jihadist threats were a significant focus among the foiled plots, with 80% of legal proceedings against suspects linked to extremist ideologies influencing French youth. The Islamic State continues to propagate its messages, contributing to ongoing security concerns.

In response to these threats, French authorities implemented heightened preventive measures, including a significant increase in house searches and house arrests. The prosecutor reported that police conducted 936 house searches in 2024, a notable rise from the 153 searches carried out the previous year. These measures were part of a broader effort to ensure the safety and security of the Olympic events and the public.

During the summer Olympics and Paralympics, France significantly bolstered its airspace defenses by deploying a range of aircraft, including warplanes, attack helicopters, surveillance planes, and military and police drones. These measures were implemented to monitor and secure the skies over Paris and the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, where sailing and soccer events were held.

The French Air and Space Force carried out over 750 flight hours across 350 missions, leading to 90 interceptions, as reported by the Defense Ministry on Wednesday. Most of these interceptions involved civilian drones, and 85 drone operators were arrested. Many of these individuals were tourists who were unaware of the specific regulations imposed during the games.

The statement also revealed that two civilian drone operators were detained for “delivering illegal equipment to a prison.” These incidents highlight the stringent measures taken to ensure security and manage airspace effectively during the high-profile international events.