NEWS: Paris terrorist attack. 12 dead.

It is France’s worst terrorist attack in 50 years, leaving 12 dead and five people fighting for their lives.

Three masked gunmen have walked into the offices of one of France’s most historical satirical magazines, Charlie Hebdo, during an editorial meeting and executed 12 people before fleeing.

Two police officers and a number of journalists are among the dead.

To read about the victims of this tragic attack, see this post.

The killers fled the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, near the Bastille, in a hijacked car, which was reportedly driven by a fourth man. Police have confirmed that the gunmen shouted after their attack: “We have killed Charlie Hebdo. We have avenged the Prophet”.

The Guardian reports that witnesses said the hooded men carried pump-action Kalashnikovs.

In a video filmed by journalist Martin Boudot, who was taking refuge nearby, the men can be heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) between rounds of gunfire.

Police say only one person survived, by hiding under the table.

Manhunt ‘underway’

Police have identified the gunmen behind the attack as brothers Said Kouachi, Cherif Kouachi — French nationals born in the 10th arrondissement of Paris- and Hamyd MoMurad, 18, who is reportedly homeless.

To read more about the identities of these men, see this post.

Some media outlets report the men have been arrested, but those reports remain unconfirmed.

The security level in Paris remains at its highest level, and an anti-terror operation is currently underway in the north-eastern French city of Reims, the ABC reports.

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said an investigation had been launched.

“The anti-terrorism section of the Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a file to look at the background of the attackers, the type of attacker, any links to terrorism and any links to criminal activity,” he said.

Some images from the attack and its aftermath (post continues after gallery):

Witness reports

The Telegraph reports that Cédric Le Béchec, a 33-year-old estate agent who witnessed the attack, said before launching the assault, the attackers approached another man in the street saying, “Tell the media that this is Al Qaeda in Yemen.”

The Libération newspaper reports an “organised commando”, two “calm and determined gunmen, went directly up to the editorial room and knew their target in advance.”

“It was Charb they were targeting. The two attackers looked for him in the room, shouting, ‘Where is Charb?’ Where is Charb?’

“They killed him then sprayed everyone else,” said a police source.

One cartoonist, Corinne Rey, said she was forced to let the gunmen in. She said men spoke fluent French and claimed to be from al Qaeda. In an interview with the newspaper l’Humanite, she said the entire shooting lasted perhaps five minutes.

Ms Rey said she had gone to pick up her daughter at day care, and when she arrived back at the building she was confronted by the men.

“They said they wanted to go up to the offices, so I tapped in the code,” she said.

She told of how she and her daughter hid under a desk while she saw her colleagues being executed

 What is Charlie Hebdo?

Charlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine, like the British “Private Eye” which covers a whole range of controversial of topics. From the death of Charles de Gaulle to the birth of Islamic extremism, the journalists of France’s foremost satirical magazine have endured a turbulent history.

The magazine has featured prominently on al-Qaeda’s hit-list since it published controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in 2011.

Just moments before the magazine’s offices were attacked they sent out a tweet wishing a Happy New Year “and particularly good health” to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State (Isis).

Its cover this week features Michel Houellebecq’s provocative new novel, Submission, which satirises France under a Muslim president .

Founded in 1969 as Hara-Kiri Hebdo, the weekly publication quickly attracted – and eventually adopted as its official slogan – accusations of being “dumb and nasty”.

In 2012, Charlie Hebdo published more cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, including images of him naked, and a cover showing him being pushed along in a wheelchair by an Orthodox Jew.

According to The Guardian, the French government had appealed to the editors not to go ahead with publication, and shut down embassies, cultural centres and schools in 20 countries out of fear of reprisals.

The magazine’s website which went down over night is now up again and now simply carries the words #JeSuisCharlie.

Charlie Hebdo’s editor-in-chief, Gérard Biard, escaped the attack because he was in London.

He said “I am shocked that people can have attacked a newspaper in France, a secular republic. I don’t understand it.

“I don’t understand how people can attack a newspaper with heavy weapons. A newspaper is not a weapon of war.”

Biard said he did not believe the attack was linked to the magazine’s latest front page, which featured novelist Michel Houellebecq, who has previously sparked controversy with comments about Islam.

 Is it a terrorist attack?

The French President Hollande said there is no doubt this is a terrorist attack.

The Guardian reports that an expert on al-Qaida, Jason Burke, says the witness account of the gunmen saying “tell the media that we are from Al-Qaida in the Yemen” raises the possibility of an operation by an al-Qaida affiliate that has “long worried western intelligence services.”

“It’s clearly very early days yet, but worth pointing out that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), based in Yemen for almost a decade now, is the only official affiliate of the organisation founded by the late Osama bin Laden which has consistently shown an interest in striking the west – and has come close to successfully doing so – for many years.” he said.

Muslims around the world condemn the attack

The French Muslim Council (CFCM) said “This extremely grave barbaric action is also an attack against democracy and the freedom of the press”.

Condemnation and condolences

French President Hollande has declared a national day of mourning tomorrow.

“France is in shock. There is no doubt this is a terrorist attack. It was against a newspaper that was, moreover, protected,” he said. “This was an act of exceptional barbarity, against a newspaper, a symbol of liberty.”

He said that the perpetrators would be “pursued as long as it takes to bring them to justice” and called for national unity and calm reports

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that “Australia stands with the people and the government of France at this difficult time.” In a statement Mr Abbott said that “Freedom of Expression is the cornerstone of a free society.”

In a deliberately worded statement, US President Barack Obama also “strongly condemned” this “outrageous attack”, and offered assistance to “America’s oldest ally” France to bring the terrorists to justice.

In the UK, the Queen and Prince Philip have sent their “sincere condolences” to the victims’ families and those injured.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said that the attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris is an attack on the cornerstone of democracy.

Crowds gather in Paris

Thousands have gathered in France to condemn the attack, with crowds around the Place de la Republique holding placards and lighting candles.

A live feed of the crowds (post continues after video):

Vigils are currently being held around the world, including in London, Berlin, Rome and Barcelona, with protesters holding signs saying “Je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”).

The hashtag #JeSuisCharlie is now trending.

Some of the social media responses to the horrifying attack:

For more details about the victims of the attack, click here.

For more details about the identifies of the gunmen, click here.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected by this devastating attack.