Shooting in Northern Paris During 'Operation to Find Suspects of Friday's Attacks'

According to reports from France, early on Wednesday, November 18, 'following an anti-terror operation by the police in pursuit of suspects of the Paris attacks' in the north of the capital, shootings occurred. A report from the French news agency states that the operation was aimed at 'tracking down Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks.' Reports indicate that at least two people have been killed, one of whom was a woman who detonated herself. Three others have also been arrested. The French news agency cites a source close to the investigations regarding the Paris attacks, stating that the shooting took place in the Saint-Denis area. Another source mentioned that special forces participated in the operation. A police source stated that the operation was in search of 'Abdelhamid Abaaoud,' but it is unclear whether he was present at the location. Abaaoud is of Moroccan descent and a Belgian citizen, whom French security officials had said was in Syria and likely the planner of the Paris attacks. Initial reports indicate that several police officers were injured in the clashes. Early reports suggested that the operation aimed to arrest two to four individuals in an area near the 'Stade de France.' The Associated Press also reported that shootings and explosions occurred in the area. A police official told the agency that there was an armed confrontation between police forces and suspects. By 6 AM local time (8:30 AM Tehran time), a 'group of suspects' were still present in the apartment that the police had stormed. The 'Stade de France' is one of the locations where part of the attacks from last Friday occurred nearby. Firefighters told the French news agency that they also participated in the operation against 'an armed group in an apartment.' Streets and neighborhoods close to the center of the operation have been blocked by the police. Police forces in European countries are on high alert to find the 'ninth possible suspect' of the shootings and suicide bombings from Friday night in Paris. Video footage from one of the Friday attacks has raised the possibility that a ninth person was also present during the events. The police have not stated whether the ninth suspect is among the recent detainees in Belgium. Salah Abdeslam is another suspect who is on the international wanted list.