By Pramod Raj Sedhain.
Secular republic France currently faced a deadly and darkest terrorist massacre. Paris never faced such horrific high-profile attack in half a century. The unprecedented bloody terrorist attack on the headquarters of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and police officials angered the entire world. France lost most prominent cartoonists and journalists in the single day in the attack dubbed as an attack against freedom of press. The attackers killed at least 12 people and badly injuring 11 others. French media reported four of the magazine’s well-known cartoonists, including its editor Stephane Charbonnier, cartoonists Jean Cabut aka Cabu, Bernard Verlhac aka Tignous and Georges Wolinski were killed in the attack. Journalist Bernard Maris was also killed by well-trained masked gunmen firing assault weapons at police in the street outside the office.
The whole world stand with the French people and principles with terror attack widespread condemnation by leaders worldwide. Thousands gathered at a central square in Paris for a silent vigil and thousands of French people flooding to writing on twitter “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) for solidarity with the victims. Almost all French newspapers along the Charlie Hebdo’s website displayed the single image of “Je suis Charlie” on a black banners symbolizing freedom of expression in all sectors across the country. The Arab League as well as Vatican condemned the attack. The US Embassy in France also changed its Twitter photo to show the phrase. French President Francois Hollande stirred citizens to come together to fight terrorism. “Let us unite, and we will win.” President declared a one day of national mourning as well on the security highest alert.
France never faced such barbaric action against freedom and democracy. French lost highly recognized mainstream publication’s cartoonist and journalists. The publication tweeted out a cartoon mocking the ISIS leader’s New Year’s message. The assault was carried out by three men – both dressed in all black wore hoods and had AK-47s. This barbaric terrorist attack is, of course, inspired by global terror group al Qaeda or Islamic State. Both global terror network al Qaeda and the Islamic State group took to social media to praise the gunmen. The magazine’s office were targetted by extremist group which was firebombed in 2011. Editor Charbonnier was regularly accompanied by two protection officers because of death threats in the past.
France is a major international anti-terror campaigning country. French forces have been deployed in several anti-terror operations, including in Afghanistan, Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) to currently air strikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Iraq. al-Qaeda have frequently targeted French soil because of French African military presence against terrorist. French intelligence and security forces foiled several terror plans, including the most significant plan to blow up Eiffel Tower, Louvre and nuclear power plant. Some high-ranking members of Islamic terrorists as well al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb members were arrested. Recently, France implemented tough anti-terror rules. Despite different protective measures, France has been facing several major security incidents. In 1961, far-right militants opposing plans for Algerian independence killed 28 people on a train attack. Since then, French soil has seen major security incidents in 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The high profile security threat was witnessed in March 2012, when an al Qaeda-inspired gunman Mohamed Merah, killed seven people in three separate shootings in Toulouse included three soldiers as well children.
France has practiced a secular government but it is the most friendly nation for Muslims, where Europe’s biggest Muslim population (around 5 million) live. Islam is the second religion in France after Roman Catholicism. This attack was an attack against all French citizens, be it Muslims or Christians. All French Muslim community leaders condemn the terrorist deadliest attack. But this has indicated extreme right politic. Anti-immigrant agenda might emerge more stronger in Paris politic. Tough stance on immigration policy can emerge in French mainstream politics. There is already far right National Front’s gain in the political ground in France. Their strong presence has been seen after the April 2014 municipal elections when their candidates were elected in 11 cities. National Front had an unprecedented gain securing the first position in the voting for the European Parliament.
Need of tough response against terrorism
France’s deadliest terrorist attack will not go unpunished. France faces real danger of security and needs more aggressive effort to hunt down the terrorists. Destroying radical Islamic terrorism should be the topmost priority for national security. International community is with France to respond to the recent attack and its efforts to fight against terrorism. France has a strong ability to hunt down its enemy. Terrorism is now the enemy of France and it needs more tough-militaristic approach to destroy any sort of terrorism threats. Without a tougher line to crush global terrorism, France cannot save peace and prosperity. Terrorist attack against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and police officers shows that the terrorists are well-equipped and have sophisticated training. These people are definitely have links with global terror group Islamic States or al Qaeda directly or indirectly.
Crushing the barbaric terrorist groups and ideology should be the prime priority of France. More effective aerial attacks against terrorists’ safe haven might be the options. Islamic extremists groups al-Qaida and Islamic State’s bases in Africa, Middle East and South Asia need to be destroyed at any cost. Without crush these international terrorism network, France cannot secure a better future. Hundreds of French residents joined Syrian and Iraqi terrorist groups posing serious security threat to the nation. France, the most popular tourist destination in the world, needs to convey the message that it is still the most secured place on earth. Effective anti-terrorism police surveillance on vital points and intelligence monitoring is necessary at the moment.
Nature of extremism has crossed the red line in Iraq and Syria. Terrorists have their governments, territories, financial resources, weapons and mechanism. The world has never seen such a big terrorism threat. Tolerance cannot ensure the world peace and better future. Without flexing the military muscle and destroying their bases, it is not easy to achieve the result. Western ally needs to intensify airstrikes against Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq and Syria. Aerial attacks need to be accelerated against extremist group’s bases in Yemen, Mali, Libya, Afghanistan and other extremists aligned groups’ bases to destroy the terrorist organization’s ability to carry out attacks. Terrorists’ ambition will not be destroyed without military response.
Collective international efforts need to respond the complicated threat. Extremism will put threat to the civilization and values and even target any country. Such threats can be neutralized only through militaristic approach. Aerial attacks against hostile Islamic militants can prevent the future dangerous cycle of terrorism in other nations. Boosting the intelligence and additional electronic surveillance is necessary in all countries. Verification of residences in EU and US and expelling of illegal immigrants is necessary for a secured future.
