Abdelhamid Abaaoud: Four things to know about suspected mastermind of the Paris terror attacks

Here's what we know so far:

1. Abaaoud apparently has been linked to other attempted attacks on a church near Paris and a high-speed train, the official said. Those plots were thwarted, according to the AP. 

\"He appears to be the brains behind several planned attacks in Europe,\" an unnamed source told Reuters.

BREAKING: French official says suspected attacks mastermind linked to thwarted train and church attacks. — The Associated Press (@AP) November 16, 2015

2. The 27-year-old is reportedly from Molenbeek near Brussels. Reuters, citing French radio station RTL, said other suspected attackers were from the same area. The BBC said the neighborhood is known as \"a haven for jihadists.\"

3. Officials believe he is in Syria now, according to Reuters. The Guardian reported that he fought along with ISIS there.

BREAKING: Belgian national, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, currently in Syria, suspected to have ordered Paris attacks - source close to investigation. — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) November 16, 2015

4. Police reportedly labeled him a \"wanted extremist\" in January. Officials said he went on the run after a gunbattle and raid on an ISIS cell in Belgium, the Guardian reported.

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