France hunts woman suspect as Al-Qaeda threaten new attacks

Image by: HANDOUT / Reuters

Two brothers suspected in the attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and a third man accused of killing a policewoman, were shot dead by police after taking hostages Friday in and near Paris.
A 26-year-old woman, identified as Hayat Boumeddiene, is believed to be the companion of Amedy Coulibaly, who had taken hostages in a kosher grocery store in the east of the French capital.
Police say Coulibaly shot dead four hostages before being killed in a shootout.
Five other people remain in custody in connection with this week's events, according to daily Le Monde. Their identity has not been disclosed.


Meanwhile, the Yemen-based al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has threatened France with more attacks if it does not stop fighting Islam and its symbols.
Top AQAP cleric Harith al-Nadhari praised the slain assailants in France, saying they were "soldiers who do not not fear death."

"Some of the sons of France were disrespectful to the prophets of Allah, so a group from among the believing soldiers of Allah marched unto them, then they taught them respect and the limit of the freedom of expression," al-Nadhari said in an audio message broadcast on the pro-AQAP online broadcaster al-Malahem.

Charlie Hebdo was known for his caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, among other religious and institutional targets.
"You, French people, have to stop your aggression against Muslims in order to live safely. If you want war, then by Allah you will not enjoy security."

Cherif Kouachi, who with his brother Said is believed to have carried out the attack on Charlie Hebdo, told the BFMTV broadcaster before being killed by police that he was sent by al-Qaeda in Yemen.
AQAP is considered one of the most dangerous branches of the international terrorist's network.