Paris, Nov 16 (IANS) : The deadly attacks across Paris last week that claimed 129 lives were planned and organised from Syria, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Monday.
"The attack was organised, conceived, and planned from Syria," CNN quoted Valls as saying in a radio interview.
The prime minister said more than 150 raids were conducted on militant targets in different areas of France earlier in the day.
"We are making use of the legal framework of the state of emergency to question people who are part of the radical jihadi movement... and all those who advocate hate of the republic," he said.
At least nine people have been arrested so far. Five of the detainees were identified over the weekend, and on Monday another two were named by the Paris prosecutor as Ahmad al-Mohammad and Samy Amimour, a BBC report said.
Al-Mohammad is the name on a Syrian passport found with the remains of one of the attackers, though the man's identity has not yet been verified. The other attackers so far named are all from Europe.
Amimour was said to be facing terrorism charges in France. Police sources said properties in the Paris suburb of Bobigny, as well as the cities of Grenoble, Toulouse and Lyon, had been targeted.
Seven of the attackers who carried out the Paris attacks on November 13 were killed, and at least one man suspected of involvement was at large, according to authorities.
The man at large was identified by French police as Salah Abdeslam, a 26-year-old French citizen who was born in Belgium. The French police, in a public request for information, warned that he is dangerous and not to be approached. Belgium has issued an international warrant for his arrest.
Earlier report
France warplanes pound IS stronghold in Syria
Paris, Nov 16 (IANS): French military jets on Sunday bombarded a stronghold of the Islamic State terrorist group in Raqqa, Syria, French Defence ministry said.
The first objective destroyed included a command post, recruitment centre and arsenal of arms and ammunition, the ministry said in a statement, Xinhua reported.
The second objective was a training camp, the ministry added.
According to the ministry, about 20 bombs were dropped.
The bombardment came 48 hours after attacks claimed by IS killed 129 people in suicide bombings and shootings in Paris.
US, France to intensify military cooperation against IS
The US and France have agreed on "concrete steps" to further intensify their military cooperation on fighting the Islamic State terrorist group in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris, the Pentagon said on Sunday.
The agreement was reached during a phone conversation between US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on Sunday, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement.
Cook said the Paris terror attacks was "an opportunity to share actions that both governments are taking" in fighting terrorism.
"They agreed on concrete steps the US and French militaries should take to further intensify our close cooperation in prosecuting a sustained campaign against IS," Cook said, without revealing further details.
Carter reiterated "the firm commitment" of the US to support France and move together to ensure IS was dealt "a lasting defeat," the spokesman said.
The two defence chiefs also agreed to "remain in close contact" in the days ahead, he added.
This was the second time the two military leaders talked over the phone since the Paris terror attacks, which killed 129 people and wounded 352 others in Paris. IS has claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks.
US President Barack Obama reiterated the US "steadfast, unwavering support for the people of France, our oldest ally and friend, and reaffirmed the offer of any necessary support to the French investigation," the White House said in a statement issued on Friday in reacting to the Paris attacks.
The Pentagon also pledged in a statement on Friday that, as NATO allies and leaders of the counter-IS coalition, the US and France "will only strengthen our resolve" in fighting the terror group.