al-Qaeda in France

[Grace62]

Homegrown terror in France

A man who identified himself as the killer (and the police verified the call) called news outlet France24 a few hours before police raided his Toulouse apartment tonight (I think this raid is still ongoing) and said these are the first attacks, there will be more, he's with al-Qaeda in France, and his killings are revenge for French involvement in Afghanistan, in sympathy with Palestinians, and in protest of the French gov't ban of the burqa and veil. He said his victims were chosen randomly as "representatives of the gov't."

It seems sick to say someone is "good at" killing, but this guy has been, that he got away with killing all these people. Says he was trained in Pakistan or Afghanistan I think?

His 7 victims are a rabbi and his 2 young children, another young child at the Jewish school, and 3 French paratroopers. The 4 Jewish victims have been buried in Israel. Very moving story on the BBC about that.

http://www.france24.com/en/20120321-toul...-dawn-raid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17456905

[cbelt3]

Suspect died in a shootout with the Gendarmes
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/22/world/euro...?hpt=hp_t1

One now wonders to what extent will he be investigated. Will Interpol actually be able to backtrace his training and rationale for these attacks ? (Or are they busy helping the arrest and potential execution of tweeters instead ? )

I arrived in France shortly after the 1974 Palestinian attack on Orly airport. The French understood security back in the 1970's... upon landing we were led, one by one, into an enclosed area, and required to strip down to our underwear and then our persons and possessions were searched by a heavily armed French soldier.

[Grace62]

I have no doubt there will be extensive investigations into everything about this person, who was already on law enforcement and counter-terrorism radar before the shootings. Full confidence here in France which has much longer history than the US dealing with this stuff.

My son is headed to Paris a week from tomorrow for a band spring break trip. We have no travel-related worry at all, but like the last time we were there, in '07 during the Glasgow episode ,security will probably be more visible than usual at high profile locations. We are Francophiles through and through, very excited for our son's trip. Older son has a job as an assistant tour guide in France, Italy and Switzerland for the summer. Lucky ducks. (Parents too broke to travel.)

[cbelt3]

Magnifique !

I have two aunts and uncles in France... one set in a 16th century manor house in Jugon les Lacs in Brittany, the other in a seaside home in Guérande, also in Brittany. They sold their home in Paris when they retired. It's a lovely country.. I wish I could go back, but we're in the same boat. Vacation involves hanging out in the back yard with the dogs.

[Lux Interior]

cbelt3 wrote: upon landing we were led, one by one, into an enclosed area, and required to strip down to our underwear and then our persons and possessions were searched by a heavily armed French soldier.

Sounds like something the TSA would like to do.

[OWC Jamie]

cbelt3 wrote:
upon landing we were led, one by one, into an enclosed area, and required to strip down to our underwear and then our persons and possessions were searched by a heavily armed French soldier.

You sure you weren't at Quartier Pigalle ?