Charlie Hebdo sparks outrage with cartoons of drowned Syrian boy

Controversial French magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked outrage for publishing two cartoons depicting the drowning death of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi.

A picture shows somebody buying the new issue of satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in a magazine store in Valence, France, (AAP Image/NEWZULU/CHRISTOPHE ESTASSY).

French publication Charie Hebdo is facing backlash after publishing two cartoons depicting drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi.

The satirical magazine was targeted in a shooting earlier this year that killed 12 people.

The latest edition includes two cartoons featuring the drowning of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi.

Aylan, his five-year-old brother, Galip, and mother, Rehan, 35, were among 12 people, including other children, who died after two boats capsized while trying to reach the Greek island of Kos.

One of the cartoon shows Aylan’s lifeless body lying near a billboard advertising a McDonald’s Happy Meal deal for “two children’s menus for the price of one.”

A message next to the image reads, “So close.”

The second cartoon shows Jesus walking across water while a child drowns next to him.

The caption on the cartoon reads, "Christians walk on water...Muslim kids sink.”

The controversial cartoons. (Charlie Hebdo)

Both cartoons were reportedly drawn by artist Laurent “Riss” Sourisseau, who was shot in the shoulder during the January attack.

They have sparked criticism on social media: