Describing the recent terrorist attacks across Paris, French President Francois Hollande said Saturday that it was an "act of war" by Islamic State (ISIS). He declared that France will be "merciless towards these barbarians from Daesh," referring to an Arab acronym for Islamic State, reports Reuters.

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The attacks, claimed by ISIS, are one of the worst acts of violence in the West since 9/11. The night of the incident Friday, Nov. 13 has been described as the deadliest day in France since World War II, according to the Washington Post.

Approximately six vibrant, but virtually unprotected, locales across the city on a peaceful Friday evening -- cafes, a sports stadium, a music venue -- came under attack as Islamist militants threw grenades, carried out suicide bombings and shot hostages dead in their tracks in a whirlwind of violence that paralyzed Paris, leaving 127 or more dead and 180 wounded.

After a blast outside the stadium during a packed soccer event, authorities prevented everyone from leaving. Thousands of scared spectators gathered together on the field trying to figure out the situation. Officials promptly evacuated the French president, who was among thousands of fans watching a friendly game between Germany and France.

A witness said one of the explosions near the stadium blasted people into the air outside a McDonald's restaurant.

Most of the killings, however, occurred at the 19^th century Bataclan concert hall -- one of Paris' most popular venues. Hundreds of music fans were gathered together listening to the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal.

Some witnesses inside the auditorium said they heard gunmen shouting Islamic chants and slogans condemning France's role in Syria.

Within moments of the bloody siege, the Vocativ website reported that Islamic State supporters and other extremist groups were celebrating online and posting hashtags exclaiming "Paris in flames" and "ISIS is attacking Paris."

ISIS stated that the attacks were a retaliation for France's campaign against them. The group distributed a video in which a bearded Arabic-speaking militant, flanked by other extremists, said France would not live in peace as long as it took part in US-led bombing raids against them.

"Let France and all nations following its path know they will continue to be at the top of the target list of the Islamic State," added the group.

In response Hollande said the attacks were "against the values that we defend everywhere in the world, against what we are: a free country that means something to the whole planet."

"We are going to lead a war which will be pitiless," he said outside the Bataclan concert hall where it is estimated that 80 people lost their lives that night.

U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have vowed a pact of solidarity with the country.

This is the second terrorist attack in Paris this year. In January, terrorists attacked Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper, and a Jewish supermarket, leaving 17 people dead.

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