Tuesday, September 12, 2006

France on Elevated Alert by Olivier Guitta

A September 1 report of the French Anti Terrorism Unit leaked to Le Figaro stated that France was next as a target of Islamist terrorism. Indeed France has been one of the countries most mentioned in Al Qaeda and affiliates tapes and messages as one of the Crusaders. This really started after France voted in 2004 a law banning all religious signs including the hijab in public schools. Also the Algerian GSPC considers France as its #1 enemy.

In light of this, French authorities are closely monitoring a dozen individuals with connections to cells linked to Iraq, Afghanistan/Pakistan and the Maghreb. They are also watching around 50 mosques attended by radical elements. But most than anything French counter terrorism officials are worried about the young French jihadis who traveled to fight in Iraq and could come back anyday to France well trained and motivated to attack the "Infidel nation".

Last reason of concern is the Lebanese situation and France's involvement on the ground. Hezbollah could decide to attack French targets around the world or Jewish targets in France.

I have been writing at length about the potential future terror attacks executed by Hezbollah against France in the style of the 1986 wave of terror in Paris.

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