Close X
Monday, November 18, 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

    GM recalls SUVs for Third Time: Power Window Switches can Short-circuit and Catch Fire

    GM recalls SUVs for Third Time: Power Window Switches can Short-circuit and Catch Fire
    General Motors' troubles with safety recalls have surfaced in another case, this time with the company recalling a group of SUVs for a third time to fix power window switches that can catch fire.

    GM recalls SUVs for Third Time: Power Window Switches can Short-circuit and Catch Fire

    Malaysia to delist loss-making flag carrier in major overhaul after 2 disasters

    Malaysia to delist loss-making flag carrier in major overhaul after 2 disasters
    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's state investment company said Friday it plans to make Malaysia Airlines fully government owned, removing it from the country's stock exchange before carrying out a far-reaching overhaul of the carrier that is reeling from double disasters.

    Malaysia to delist loss-making flag carrier in major overhaul after 2 disasters

    'America is coming to help': Obama authorizes airstrikes in Iraq

    'America is coming to help': Obama authorizes airstrikes in Iraq
    WASHINGTON - A looming humanitarian catastrophe has pulled the United States deeper into the Iraq conflict, several years after American troops exited a long and painful war there.

    'America is coming to help': Obama authorizes airstrikes in Iraq

    Hawaii bracing as 1st hurricane in 22 years approaches and 2nd 1 looms

    Hawaii bracing as 1st hurricane in 22 years approaches and 2nd 1 looms
    HONOLULU, Hawaii - Hurricane Iselle's outer edges brought rain and wind to Hawaii early Friday as it was poised to become the first hurricane or tropical storm to hit the island chain in 22 years. Another hurricane closely followed.

    Hawaii bracing as 1st hurricane in 22 years approaches and 2nd 1 looms

    Gaza militants renew rocket fire after 3-day truce expires and Israel-Hamas talks hit deadlock

    Gaza militants renew rocket fire after 3-day truce expires and Israel-Hamas talks hit deadlock
    JERUSALEM - Gaza militants renewed rocket fire on Israel after a three-day truce expired on Friday and negotiations in Cairo on a new border deal for the coastal strip hit a deadlock.

    Gaza militants renew rocket fire after 3-day truce expires and Israel-Hamas talks hit deadlock

    Islamic State militants seize Iraq's largest dam near Mosul, Kurdish troops withdraw

    Islamic State militants seize Iraq's largest dam near Mosul, Kurdish troops withdraw
      Sunni militants from the Islamic State group on Thursday seized Iraq's largest dam, placing them in control of enormous power and water resources and access to the river that runs through the heart of Baghdad.

    Islamic State militants seize Iraq's largest dam near Mosul, Kurdish troops withdraw