Starting around 4:30 AM, French police and military forces cornered terrorist suspects from Friday’s terrorist attacks in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. According to reports from French police reports on CNN, two were killed and seven were arrested in the dramatic raid, which included a shoot-out and a female suicide bomber exploding her vest. Sadly, one civilian was lost in the operation, which as of this writing is still underway. Here’s a summary via Reddit/TheGeneral:
The targets of the raid were the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks, Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud; as well as Salah Abdeslam and another suspect thought to be a ninth attacker directly involved in Friday’s mass killings. It is not confirmed that these targets were in the apartment at the centre of the raid. Heavy shooting, including automatic gunfire, and explosions began around 4.30am. The raid took place about 2km from the Stade de France, one of the targets of Friday’s attacks. A number of suspects were reported to have barricaded themselves in an apartment, exchanging gunfire with officers. At least seven explosions were heard. Three police officers have been reported injured in the operation, apparently not seriously. Roads have been closed off, with large numbers of police officers and police vehicles in the area. Military reinforcements have also arrived. Residents have been told to stay in their homes and away from windows. Some have been moved to a temporary shelter in the town hall. Transport to St-Denis has been suspended and schools will not open on Wednesday.
VIDEO: Series of explosions heard on CNN live coverage earlier in #SaintDenis – @cnni
https://t.co/ga62eC8B4L
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) November 18, 2015
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According to the New York Times, three suspects are still at large:
At least two fugitives are at large: one whose existence was confirmed by intelligence officials on Tuesday night, and Salah Abdeslam, 26, a Frenchman who was believed to have escaped to Brussels.
In addition to the two fugitives, the authorities were seeking Mr. Abaaoud, a Belgian militant suspected of organizing the attacks.
French police say the raid is still underway. We’ll keep you updated.