MOSCOW, January 16 (Sputnik) — Terror threat levels have been on the rise across Europe with anti-terrorism agencies launching raids in the wake of the deadly attacks in France that claimed the lives of 17 people last week.
On Thursday evening, police killed two suspects in a counterterrorism raid in eastern Belgium. After a gun battle unfolded in Verviers during the raid, two gunmen were shot and a third was wounded and taken into police custody. Officials stated that they were targeting "several people who we think are an operational cell," possibly from Syria. According to a member of the Prosecutor's Office, there is no connection to Paris attacks, with the suspects being targeted before attacks in the French capital took place.
Spain is currently investigating Coulibaly's stay in its capital with his wife prior to the attack, according to El Pais. An investigation has been ordered to determine whether he collaborated with any terrorist groups during his stay in Madrid over the New Year period.
On January 7, the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo was attacked by terrorists, killing 12 people, 10 of whom were editorial staff, and injuring another 11. On January 8, a French female police officer was shot dead by a gunman in the Paris suburb of Montrouge. The following day, the suspected gunman killed four hostages in a kosher supermarket.
