Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
International

Al Qaeda warns France after terror attacks

Darpan News Desk IANS, 13 Jan, 2015 10:43 AM
    The Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has issued a warning to France after the country's spate of terror attacks over the past week.
     
    "France pays the cost of its violence on Muslim countries and the violation of their sanctity," AQIM, the north African branch of the Al Qaeda, said in a statement published on jihadi websites, CNN reported.
     
    "As long as its soldiers occupy countries such as Mali and Central Africa and bombard our people in Syria and Iraq, and as long as its lame media continues to undermine our Prophet (Mohammed), France will expose itself to the worst and more."
     
    France is reeling from an attack at the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper, which killed 12 people Wednesday, the death of a policewoman Thursday, and the siege of a Jewish supermarket Friday that left four hostages dead.
     
    Three terrorists in the attacks were killed, but a suspected co-conspirator remains on the loose -- possibly in Syria.
     
    The warning from AQIM comes just before Charlie Hebdo, known for its controversial depiction of the Prophet Mohammed, is set to publish again Tuesday. The issue will hit newsstands Wednesday.
     
    This time, the cover features a drawing of a frowning Prophet Mohammed with a teardrop coming from his eye.
     
    "All is Forgiven," the cover headline says in French.
     
    In the prophet's hands, there is a sign that says "Je suis Charlie" or "I am Charlie."
     
    From Paris to Jerusalem, Tuesday would mark a day of mourning for the victims in last week's attacks.
     
    The bodies of four hostages killed in the Jewish store siege brought to Israel Tuesday morning. All four - Philippe Braham, Yohan Cohen, Yoav Hattab and François-Michel Saada - will be buried at the Govat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem.
     
    A Muslim policeman killed while trying to pursue the assailants from the Charlie Hebdo attack will be laid to rest Tuesday.
     
    While France is grappling with a new wave of terrorism, concerns about future attacks have spilled well across its borders.
     
    The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is boosting security at more government buildings across the country. But the exact locations are "law-enforcement sensitive", DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement.
     
    Johnson also noted that the Transportation Security Administration has ramped up the number of random searches of passengers and carry-on luggage at US airports.
     
    The White House tried damage control Monday after widespread criticism that neither President Barack Obama nor any other high-ranking US official joined a massive anti-terrorism march in Paris that drew 40 other world leaders.
     
    White House spokesperson Josh Earnest acknowledged "we should have sent someone with a higher profile", not even trying to justify the fact that the largely unknown US Ambassador to France, Jane Hartley, was the top American official at Sunday's rally.
     
    While the US has not faced a physical terror attack since the incidents in France, Islamic State (IS) sympathisers did hack the Twitter account of the US Central Command.
     
    A series of unusual tweets were published Monday with apparent warnings from the IS, as well as links, images and Pentagon documents that reveal contact information for members of the military.
     
    The first tweet read: "AMERICAN SOLDIERS, WE ARE COMING, WATCH YOUR BACK. IS."
     
    "CyberCaliphate" and "i love you isis" were sprawled out in white letters against a black screen at the top of the Twitter page.
     
    The account was suspended, but defence officials say no classified information was obtained and no military networks were compromised.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Two Chinese cooks serve 30,000 college students

    Two Chinese cooks serve 30,000 college students
    Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani Friday said the government would soon launch an online library to make study materials available to all.

    Two Chinese cooks serve 30,000 college students

    Can We Talk About How Joan Rivers Blazed A Trail For Female Comics?

    Can We Talk About How Joan Rivers Blazed A Trail For Female Comics?
    LOS ANGELES, Calif. - On "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1967, Joan Rivers joked about society's double-standard for women.

    Can We Talk About How Joan Rivers Blazed A Trail For Female Comics?

    President: France ready to join coalition to act against Islamic State group if UN approves

    President: France ready to join coalition to act against Islamic State group if UN approves
    NEWPORT, Wales - French President Francois Hollande says his country is ready to join a coalition to take action against the Islamic State group if Iraqi authorities request it and the United Nations approves.

    President: France ready to join coalition to act against Islamic State group if UN approves

    More tests needed to determine Joan Rivers' cause of death, medical examiner says

    More tests needed to determine Joan Rivers' cause of death, medical examiner says
    NEW YORK, N.Y. - Further tests are needed to pinpoint comedian Joan Rivers' cause of death, the New York City medical examiner says.

    More tests needed to determine Joan Rivers' cause of death, medical examiner says

    China's ancient, commercially savvy Shaolin Temple seeks media directors to further grow brand

    China's ancient, commercially savvy Shaolin Temple seeks media directors to further grow brand
    Help wanted: Ancient Buddhist temple famed for its kung fu monks seeks media directors to build brand. English and social media skills required. Not necessary to be a monk, practice martial arts or eat vegetarian.

    China's ancient, commercially savvy Shaolin Temple seeks media directors to further grow brand

    Father Of Georgia Toddler Left In Hot Car Charged With Murder In His Son's Death

    Father Of Georgia Toddler Left In Hot Car Charged With Murder In His Son's Death
    ATLANTA - More than two months after his son's death in a hot car, a Georgia man who prosecutors say sat in his office exchanging nude photos with women while his son languished for hours was charged with murder on Thursday.

    Father Of Georgia Toddler Left In Hot Car Charged With Murder In His Son's Death