Multiple, heavily armed gunmen attacked the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people and injuring seven. The operatives, who were masked, dressed in black and carrying AK-47 rifles and shotguns, reportedly forced their way into the building after exchanging shots with police in the street. They then opened fire during the magazine’s daily editorial meeting. Among those seemingly targeted were four of the magazine’s best-known cartoonists, including the editor-in-chief Stephanie Charbonnier, who had previously received death threats and was under police protection.
The gunmen fled the scene in a black Citroen hatchback that was waiting outside the building. Before they left the scene, they got out of their vehicle to kill a wounded police officer. Officials designated the incident an act of terrorism and raised the terrorist alert to its highest level. Security was increased at places of worship, transportation and shopping centers and media outlets throughout France. Additionally, a major police operation is currently underway to locate the gunmen who remain at large.
Key Points
- Charlie Hebdo has a history of publishing controversial material that likely caused it to be a target. In 2006, the magazine reprinted cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that had originally appeared in the Danish daily, Jyllands-Posten. In 2011, the magazine’s offices were firebombed after it published a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. This week, the magazine’s cover featured a satire about controversial author Michel Houellebecq.
- The attack follows recent extremist acts in France during the Christmas period that targeted both police and civilians in public areas. The incidents caused heightened concern in the country and resulted in increased security measures on the streets.
- One of the gunmen told a witness to tell the media that they were from “al Qaeda in Yemen.”
MSA's Research and Intelligence Analysis (RIA) Group has been monitoring this situation closely and has identified the following implications:
There is a strong likelihood this incident was an organized, coordinated act based on the fluid movement and ease with which the operatives carried out the attack. The gunmen probably had prior military training which may have occurred overseas and are likely to have conducted preoperational surveillance in the area. Additionally, given the gunmen had an escape plan, they may be planning to engage in further attacks in the short term.
With details still emerging, it is speculative on whether the gunmen have direct connections to a radical Islamic group or were inspired by recent propaganda. Either way, this type of attack may provide a morale boost to both al Qaeda and ISIS, though the groups are adversarial. This incident may also offer inspiration to small groups and lone actors predisposed and inspired to carry out attacks against western targets.
