Paris-attack
Police patrol in front of the Louvre Pyramid at the Louvre museum in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015, following a series of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late Friday which left more than 120 people dead. According to witnesses, at least 5 people were killed in the immediate area by attackers wielding automatic rifles. AFP/ Bertrand Guay

Islamic State group (ISIS) has claimed credit for the coordinated series of terror attacks in Paris Friday which have left at least 127 dead in a move that will be seen as a significant escalation of the terrorist group's efforts in the West.

Having already been blamed for the attacks by French president Francois Hollande, ISIS, the jihadi group that has established a self-proclaimed caliphate across great swaths of Iraq and Syria, has now publicly taken responsibility for the attacks in a statement issued in French and Arabic. The statement claims the attacks will cause a minimum of 200 deaths. The current official death toll stands at 127 though 80 people remain in a critical condition in hospital with officials saying the death toll is likely to rise.

The statement, which can be read in full below, initially quotes the Quran and then sets out exactly what happened in Paris on Friday night. "Eight brothers wearing explosive belts and assault weapons targeted areas carefully chosen in the heart of the French capital," the statement reads.

Calling Paris, "the capital of abominations and perversion, the one that carries the banner of the cross in Europe" ISIS dubbed Hollande an imbecile while those attending the Bataclan concert hall where the largest number of fatalities happened, are called "idolators." Detailing the coordinated and simultaneous attacks in the 10, 11 and 18 arrondissement, ISIS said "the ground of Paris trembled under their feet and its roads became too tight for them."

Full Statement

In the name of the all merciful Allah - Allah the very Highest said "and they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allah. But Allah came to them where they weren't expecting it and struck terror into their hearts. He destroyed their dwellings by their own hands and the hands of believers.

Here is a lesson, those of you who are gifted with clear sightedness. Chapter 59, Verse 2 (of the Koran). The soldiers of the caliphate, may Allah give them strength and victory, targeted the capital of abominations and perversion, the one that carries the banner of the cross in Europe, Paris.

A group split from life over here advanced towards their enemy, looking for death in the path of Allah, securing their religion, their Prophet, and wanting to humiliate their enemies. They have been truthful with Allah and we consider them as such, Allah conquered by his own hand, and put fear into the hearts of the crusaders in their own land.

Eight brothers wearing explosive belts and assault weapons targeted areas carefully chosen in the heart of the French capital. The French stadium, during a match of two crusaders countries French and Germany where the imbecile of France Francois Hollande was present, the bataclan where hundreds of idolaters participating in a party of perversity were assembled, in addition to other targets in the 10, 11 and 18 arrondissement- all simultaneously. The ground of Paris trembled under their feet and its roads became too tight for them. The toll of this attack is a minimum of 200 crusaders killed and even more injured, the praise and honor belongs to Allah.

Allah helped his brothers and gave them what they hoped for (Martyrdom) - they set off their explosive belts in the middle of these infidels after having run out of ammunition. Allah will accept them amongst the martyrs and allows them to join him. France and those who follow their path have to know that they will remain the principle targets of IS and will continue to smell the odour of death for having led this crusade, for having insulted our prophet, for boasting about fighting Islam in France, for striking a blow against Muslims in the land of the Kalifate with their planes which has achieved nothing in the foul smelling streets of Paris. This attack is only the start of the storm, and a warning for those who want to learn from their mistakes.

-- Additional reporting by Alessandria Masi with tranlsation from Mark Edmundson