Paris attacks: 'We are in the third World War', defiant Parisians tell Shropshire Star

'We are in the third World War,' one shocked Parisian told the Shropshire Star as she paid her respects to the victims.

IS fanatics struck at six different sites in the French capital on Friday night – killing the 132 people and leaving around 350 injured. The people of Paris are shocked and hurt – but they are also angry and determined not to give in to terrorism.

News that French fighter jets last night dropped 20 bombs on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria will no doubt be welcomed by many. The planes hit a jihadi recruitment centre, training camp and arms depot run by the group, according to the French defence ministry.

Visiting the Place de la Republique which has become a shrine to the victims, office worker Marion Oddon said she believes the actions of IS constitute a war.

And her views were shared by other residents spoken to by the Shropshire Star who said France needs a strong response to the murders in its capital.

"It's not just the French who were attacked, but everybody who believes in freedom. There has to be a global solution to this problem."

Tributes have been laid at the sites of the attacks while the monument in the Place de la Republique was awash with messages. These were piled on top of the tributes left at the statue after the massacre of Charlie Hebdo staff in January.

Thousands of mourners silently paid tribute at the Le Petit Cambodge restaurant and cafe where the terrorists struck.

Miss Oddon believes France's military to Syria could be the first step to securing stability in the Middle East.

She said: "They need to make the people of Syria want to fight for their cause."

French journalist Laurence Larour agreed intervention in the region was needed.

"It's not the only solution but we can't just do nothing."

Another of the locals preaching her message of defiance was 23-year-old student Celia Ghilal.

Miss Ghilal headed to the historic square with three friends to pay tribute to the people killed.

She said: "I was devastated by what happened. But I wanted to pay my respects by burning a candle for people who lost their lives, and to pray. We are all united."

Walking down the Boulevard Voltaire, just off the Place de la Republique, yesterday morning was surreal. Life was going on as normal – people out walking their dogs, teaching their children how to cycle, jogging, or eating breakfast outdoors.

It was normal until you came across the junction with Rue Oberkampf.

That was where the barriers had been erected to stop people getting close to the Bataclan Theatre, the scene of Friday's most sickening attack. A rock concert by the Eagles of Death Metal was stormed and the terrorists slaughtered scores inside, before blowing themselves up.

The pain was still etched on the faces of the mourners who stood by the barriers, where the wreaths and notes were massed. A stone's throw away people were chatting away over a croissant or a coffee.

In a sense that sums up the impact of these kind of attacks. Everyday life will go on and the human spirit will endure, but the pain – and fear – will linger.

A 51-year-old woman, who gave her name only as Marie, said the situation was like a bad dream and she was still in shock.

She said she had stood in silent reflection for an unknown amount of time and thinks France needs to make a statement in its response to the terrorists.

"This situation isn't over – it will only be over when IS is over."

Another mourner outside the Bataclan said he agreed with the suggestion that the attacks were an act of war.

The man said: "We're not a country at peace any more, we're a country at war.

"We've been blind to things for a long time and this is a consequence of that."

There was also a palpable sense of unease when emergency services raced past the square with sirens on.

Visiting Place de la Republique was father-of-one Yoann Le Murel. He said that, after the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris in January, which saw 12 employees of the satirical publication murdered, he was surprised another attack had followed so soon.

"I was completely amazed, I couldn't believe it. Now I think it could happen again."

There were fewer mourners – just 20 or so – outside the Stade de France than at the sites in central Paris. The stadium is in the suburb of St Denis a train ride away while other sites are within a few minutes' walk of each other.

At the stadium, one stop away from the Gare du Nord, the physical impact of the terrorists' actions was even more apparent. Two bombers struck outside the ground while the friendly match between France and Germany was taking place, with a total of six people killed.

White walls across the road from Gate J at the ground were yesterday splattered with blood, while a wall at the gate to enter the stadium is littered with holes which one bystander said were caused by flying nails and bolts when a homemade device was exploded.

Father-of-five Jack Martin, who lives in St Denis close to the stadium, spoke of his growing fear when he heard the bombs go off. Mr Martin, 40, said: "I was watching at home about 200 yards away when I heard two booms.

"At first I didn't know what it was and thought it was a supporter but the sound was more loud than I'd ever heard before.

"I thought maybe it was a car burning but you don't think it will be a bomb, not in Paris."

Mr Martin said he fears the actions of IS could cause splits in French society, as it is so multi-cultural. He said: "Every time things in France are getting better here then something like this happens.

"It makes you think that it could be your neighbour doing that."

Hoping to heal any growing religious rifts in Paris was young Muslim Mehdi, who presented a Tricolore flag outside the Stade de France with his family. The youngster was a picture of innocence, with mourners clamouring to have their photo taken of the little boy proudly holding his French flag. His mother said those who carried out the attacks 'were not Muslims'.

Despite the shock and fear, defiant travellers have refused to let terrorists disrupt their plans on the Eurotunnel heading to France.

One staff member, who asked not to be named, said: "It's been like any normal day, I was surprised. We were full up at 9.30am and have maintained that level."

Student Alexandre Monnot, 23, had been in the UK taking exams ahead of his entrance to the French Naval Academy and was heading home to Rennes via the EuroTunnel.

He said: "I wanted to show they (the terrorists) will not win."

His thoughts echo those of his countrymen. If this is war – the terrorists will find that France is not going to succumb easily.