France is set to launch a major security operation, deploying troops to support police during planned protests over the weekend.
What happened
The French government has acknowledged failures in its response to recent riots, which saw widespread violence and looting in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told lawmakers that the immediate priority was restoring order, and that the deployment of troops would be massive. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that soldiers would take over some static duties, freeing up police to respond to unrest.
The government has blamed far-left groups for the violence, with Lecornu accusing them of using digital tools to coordinate their actions. However, left-wing lawmakers have accused the government of failing to address underlying issues such as deteriorating public services and the high cost of living.
The unrest began in late September, with students blockading high schools in Seine-Saint-Denis, and has since spread nationwide. The government has reported significant damage, with at least 3,000 businesses damaged or looted, and over 2,400 arrests made.
