The three days of terror in France culminated with a dramatic showdown on Friday when French police closed in and gunned down two al-Qaeda linked brothers who murdered 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo magazine office in Paris. The police also took down an accomplice of the brothers who seized hostages at a kosher supermarket on Friday in an attempt to help the brothers. However, four hostages also lost their lives in the shootout.
Also read: France attack: Second siege ends; unity rally to be held on Sunday
A policeman standing outside the Charlie Hebdo Paris office Reuters
However, a fourth suspect, Hayat Boumedienne, the girlfriend of one of the attackers is still at large and possibly armed. Boumedienne, who managed to escape on Friday during a standoff with the police, is an accomplice of the supermarket attacker. The police is still hunting for Boumedienne as her escape has sparked new fears of further attacks in the area.
Policeman outside the Paris kosher supermarket store during the attack AFP
Earlier this week, one of the two brothers Cherif Kouachi, had revealed to the BFM-TV that they had received financial assistance from an al-Qaeda preacher, Anwar al Awlaki, in Yemen. Authorities were not unfamiliar with the brothers. Both of them were on the United States no-fly list and Cherif had a terrorism-related conviction for relations with a network which sent fighters to battle the American forces in Iraq.
Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi, the brothers suspected for the Charlie Hebdo shooting were gunned down on Friday
Also Read - Paris shooting: 5 things you need to know about the Kouachi brothers
The accomplice of the brothers, identified as Amedy Coulibaly, also separately told the same news channel that he wanted to defend Palestine and target the Jews. His attack on the supermarket resulted in the loss of four lives on Friday. The city shut down a central Jewish neighbourhood suspecting fears of more violence.
Also Read: Charlie Hebdo shooter says financed by Al-Qaeda preacher in Yemen
In the wake of the recent attacks, French President Francois Hollande asked the nation to remain vigilant and united. "The threats facing France are not finished... We are a free people who don't cave to pressure." he said in a speech.
People in Egypt show solidarity with the victims of Charlie hebdo magazine. AFP
The terror saga in Paris began when three armed men barged in during the weekly editorial meeting of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and opened fire on the journalists on Wednesday. The massacre resulted in the loss of 12 lives as the suspects fled the site. The terror continued the next day as a gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, shot and killed a policewoman in the south of Paris and then later on Friday, when Coulibaly attacked a Paris supermarket, killing four hostages and injuring several others.
A supporter holds a 'Je Suis Charlie' (I am Charlie) placard to show her support in France. AFP
Also Read: French forces kill Charlie Hebdo attack suspects, four hostages die in second siege
Supporters of Charlie Hebdo conducted several candle vigils in remembrance of those killed and waved placards with 'Je Suis Charlie' (I am Charlie) written on them to show their support to the magazine. Seeing the immense response from people all over the world, the satirical magazine has decide to publish a million copies of their next issue to show their strength and determination.
Charlie Hebdo has decided to come out with their next issue on schedule, despite the attack. Reuters
People all over the world showed support to Charlie Hebdo and held candle vigils in the memory of the victims. AFP
Also Read: Did the Charlie Hebdo editor know he would be killed?
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