The Local France

France hails progress in fight against jihadists in Sahel

Sat, 23 Feb 2019 14:02:23 +0100

The fight against jihadists in Africa's Sahel region is "achieving results", France's prime minister said in Mali on Saturday, two days after French forces killed a top extremist leader.

French forces kill top Al-Qaeda commander in Sahel

Sat, 23 Feb 2019 10:20:45 +0100

French armed forces have killed a top jihadist leader in an air and ground ambush in Mali, the government said on Friday, ending a years-long hunt for a man accused of masterminding the kidnapping of Westerners in the Sahel region.

Spain holds French terror suspect in custody

Sun, 04 May 2014 09:20:00 +0200

A Spanish court on Saturday remanded in custody a French-Algerian man suspected of fighting for terror groups linked to Al-Qaeda in Syria before he is extradited to France.

French mum named Alic Aïda barred from US

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:49:00 +0200

A young French mum was left stunned this week when she was barred from boarding a flight to New York after being told she was blacklisted. The reason, she says, is the name on her passport, Alic Aïda, which when pronounced (wrongly) can sound like Al Qaeda.

Al-Qaeda in 'plausible' claim over French deaths

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 09:57:00 +0100

France said on Thursday it was "plausible" that Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the north African division of the terrorist network, had killed two French journalists in Mali last weekend - as the group earlier claimed.

French hostages 'freed' in Niger after three years

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:31:00 +0100

Four French hostages held captive by Islamist militants in Niger since 2010 have been released, French president François Hollande announced on Tuesday.

France charges Al-Qaeda 9/11 suspect

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 16:50:00 +0200

French-Algerian Naamen Meziche, who is suspected of Al-Qaeda ties and was deported from Pakistan this week, has been charged with terror offences French judicial officials said on Saturday.

Al Qaeda threat to France played down by minister

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 14:20:00 +0200

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls has talked down Al Qaeda’s threat to attack France's rail network, after revelations in a German newspaper this week. Valls reiterated however that “a terrorist threat is present” in France.

France to close Yemen embassy over security

Sat, 03 Aug 2013 19:37:00 +0200

French President Francois Hollande said Saturday that France would close its embassy in Yemen over security fears for "several days", after Germany and Britain took the same precaution.

Al-Qaeda urges attacks on French interests

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:54:00 +0200

One of the leaders of north African branch of Al-Qaeda issued a call on Tuesday for Muslims around the world to launch attacks against French interests in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali.

Paris confirms death of Al-Qaeda head Abou Zeid

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 09:24:00 +0100

France confirmed Saturday that one of the key leaders of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, had been killed in fighting with French-led forces in northern Mali.

Al Qaeda claims to have killed French hostage

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:01:00 +0100

A French hostage has been executed in Mali, a man claiming to be a spokesman for Al-Qaeda in North Africa told Mauritania's ANI news agency late on Tuesday. Paris has not confirmed the report.

France paid ransoms to Al Qaeda-linked Mali foes

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:22:00 +0100

France channeled millions of dollars in ransom payments to the Al-Qaeda-linked militants its troops are currently fighting in Mali, according to a former US ambassador in the region.

Hollande: Al-Qaeda 'not to be trusted'

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:14:00 +0100

President François Hollande said on Thursday that Islamist groups holding French hostages in Africa were not trustworthy and should not be taken seriously after Al-Qaeda accused Paris of blocking negotiations for their release.

French anti-terror law to target training camps

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:19:00 +0200

France on Wednesday presented plans for a new anti-terrorism law that will allow authorities to prosecute citizens who attend militant Islamist training camps abroad.

Toulon website man held over 'al-Qaeda funding'

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:33:00 +0200

A Tunisian administrator of a French website was in custody Wednesday after being charged in connection with financing and recruiting for Al-Qaeda and other Islamist extremist groups, prosecutors said.

'My name is Mohamed Merah and my life is hell'

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:29:00 +0100

Several Frenchmen who bear the same name as gunman Mohamed Merah have been targetted and harassed after the identity of the Toulouse killer was released.

Two French nationals kidnapped in Mali

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:21:04 +0100

A gang kidnapped two French nationals at gunpoint from their hotel in the Malian desert on Thursday, local security sources said, the latest in a string of abductions of foreigners in the troubled region.

$12 million ransom sought for French kidnapped in Yemen: tribes

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:09:00 +0200

Three French aid workers who were kidnapped in southeastern Yemen are held by Al-Qaeda members who are seeking a $12 million ransom for their release, tribal sources said on Wednesday.