UPDATE - French soldiers injured in vehicle attack

UPDATES WITH DEFENSE MINISTRY STATEMENT, BACKGROUND

By Hajer M'tiri

PARIS (AA) - At least six French soldiers were injured on Wednesday morning when a vehicle drove into them in the Levallois-Perret suburb of northwest Paris, according to French defense sources.

Paris anti-terrorist prosecutors have opened an investigation and a manhunt is still underway.

Defense Minister Florence Parly condemned the "cowardly act" that targeted the troops around 8.00 a.m. (0600 GMT).

The incident, described by police as deliberate, "does nothing to dent soldiers' determination to work for the security of the French people," Parly said in a statement.

Three of the six injured soldiers are in a serious condition, but their lives are not in danger, according to the ministry.

Patrick Balkany, the mayor of the suburb, told French broadcaster BFMTV the perpetrator struck the soldiers deliberately at Place de Verdun near the town hall.

Balkany described the driver of the vehicle as a "terrorist".

The soldiers targeted in Wednesday’s incident were part of Operation Sentinel -- a nationwide security operation aimed at “protecting against and dissuading” attacks on French soil.

This is the fifth attack on Operation Sentinel soldiers since 2015.

France has been on high alert with enhanced security measures in the wake of deadly terror attacks over the last two years.

Last Saturday, an 18-year-old teenager with a history of psychological problems was arrested at the Eiffel Tower after waving a knife. He later told investigators he wanted to kill a soldier.

On June 19, a man crashed a car containing a gas canister into a police van on the Champs-Elysee before his vehicle exploded into flames. He died at the scene.

In June 6, a 40-year-old Algerian doctorate student who had pledged allegiance to Daesh attacked a policeman with a hammer outside Notre Dame Cathedral. The policeman sustained minor injuries.

Another attack on the Champs Elysee in April saw a French gunman open fire on police officers, killing one and leaving two others in a critical condition. The shooter was killed at the scene.

In March, a 39-year-old man was shot dead at the southern terminal at Orly airport after taking a soldier hostage.