Thread: Corsica nationalist group sends warning to jihadists

Corsica nationalist group sends warning to jihadists

Says any attacks would meet 'determined response'

28 JULY, 20:15

A secretly organized media conference in a forest, in Corsica, by Corsica's main separatist group,
the Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) (archive photo)

PARIS - The National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC) has threatened "radical Islamists" who associate with the Islamic State of retaliation if they attempt to attack the French island.

The nationalist movement said in a statement published in the Corse-Matin newspaper that any attack by jihadists on the island would lead to "a determined response without hesitation".

The group announced a cessation of its armed independence struggle earlier this year.

"The will of the Salafists is clearly to install ISIS policies in our home and we are ready," said FLNC. "Your medieval philosophy does not frighten us," they said.

The FLNC has never given up its arms and holds a large arsenal. It also sent a message to the French state, saying that it had "an important role of responsibility if this drama ever occurs over here".

Corsica regularly sees episodes of anti-Muslim violence. In February, a kebab restaurant and a halal butcher shop were both hit by gunfire.

Corsica nationalist group sends warning to jihadists - Politics - ANSAMed.it

Close 'radical' mosques, urges Corsica assembly

Corsica's regional assembly has demanded that Paris closed "radical" mosques on the French island, according to the news agency AFP. Corsica's resolution follows persistent jihadist attacks on the French mainland.

The French news agency said Corsican lawmakers from the nationalist, left- and right-wing parties adopted the resolution, with only three communists abstaining.

It call for immediate closure on Corsica "of prayer or meeting places that act as centers of radicalization or where hateful speeches are made, creating an atmosphere that is favorable to violence."

The text also called for tighter security measures on the tourist session island.

The motion follows a warning Thursday from a splinter group of the nationalist Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) that it was ready to respond to any attack on the island by extremist Islamists "without any qualms."

The FLNC also urged "Muslims in Corsica" to denounced radical Islamism and inform authorities on "disaffected youths," claiming that Paris already knew "who the Salafists in Corsica are.

Muslim prayer halls have twice been attacked in Ajaccio, the island's capital, over the past year.

In December, a prayer venue was vandalized after an assault on firefighters that prompted anti-Arab protests (pictured above).

A prayer hall blaze in late April was described by prosecutors as deliberate arson.

At that time, French President urged Corsicans that "any anti-religious act must not be tolerated" while Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve vowed "solidarity with Muslims on Corsica."

France is reeling from a string of attacks. On 14 July, a resident Tunisian ploughed a truck into crowds leaving a fireworks display in Riviera city of Nice.

On Tuesday, two 19-year-old jihadists murdered a priest at mass in northern France by slashing his throat. Responsibility was claimed by "Islamic State" (IS), the movement notorious for its brutality in Syria and Iraq.

Corsica's daily newspaper "Corse Matin" said FLNC in its statement has told adherents of "Daesh," the Arabic word for "Islamic State," that "your medieval philosophy does not scare us."

ipj/kl (AFP, AP)

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