Several prisons in France attacked with guns fired and vehicles burned
ADVERTISEMENT
Attacks have been carried out on several prisons in France, which involved weapons being fired and vehicles set on fire, the country's justice minister said on Tuesday.
On Monday night, the entrance to a prison in Toulon was shot at with an automatic weapon, while vehicles were torched in the car parks of several prisons, according to various French media reports and posts shared on social media.
In addition to Toulon, prisons were reportedly targeted in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, Valence and Nîmes, Luynes, Nanterre and Villepinte.
France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin wrote in a post on X that prisons had faced "intimidation attempts", and said he was going to Toulon to support affected officers.
"The French Republic is facing up to the problem of drug trafficking and is taking measures that will massively disrupt the criminal networks," he added.
A source close to the case told French media that the attacks appeared to be coordinated and "clearly linked to the minister's anti-narcobanditry strategy".
The French government in February launched a new campaign against drug trafficking, vowing to tackle rising gang violence and deaths linked to growing cocaine imports.
Related
Greece strengthens military with 16 anti-ship missiles from France
France's united front against Mercosur deal starts to show cracks
In a post on X on Tuesday, France's prison guard union, FO Justice, shared its "deepest concern and anger" following the "extremely serious" attacks overnight.
The union demanded "a strong, immediate, and unambiguous response from the state".
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has asked local administrations in France to "immediately strengthen the protection of officers and institutions" following the attacks.
"The state's response must be relentless," he wrote on X. "Those who attack prisons and their officers deserve to be locked up in those prisons and monitored by those officers."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
5 hours ago
- LeMonde
Macron urges renewed nuclear dialogue after Israel's Iran strikes
France's President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, June 13, urged the US and Iran to resume nuclear talks following a wave of Israeli strikes against Iran. "Iran bears a heavy responsibility in the destabilization of the whole region," he said after Western nations in recent days accused Tehran of deliberately escalating its nuclear programme, despite several rounds of US-Iran talks. "We call for the resumption of dialogue and the reaching of a deal." US President Donald Trump's Middle East pointman Steve Witkoff had been set to hold a sixth round of talks with Iran on Sunday in Oman. After Israel's deadly strikes early on Friday, Trump urged Iran to "make a deal, before there is nothing left," warning of "even more brutal" attacks to come. Macron, who earlier on Friday defended Israel's right to protect itself, said France could help in the case of an Iranian retaliation against Israel. "If Israel were to be attacked in retaliation by Iran, France, if in a position to do so, would take part in protection and defence operations," he said. Macron earlier in the day spoke by phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Elysee said, following a spike in diplomatic tensions. The French presidency said the phone conversation took place but did not provide details. Relations between Macron and Netanyahu have been strained in recent months over Israel's blockade of Gaza and France's plans to recognise a Palestinian state. UN meeting postponed France and Saudi Arabia have been planning to co-chair a UN conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians next week in New York. But Macron said on Friday evening that meeting had been postponed. "While we have to postpone this conference for logistical and security reasons, it will take place as soon as possible," Macron said at a press conference. Partner service Learn French with Gymglish Thanks to a daily lesson, an original story and a personalized correction, in 15 minutes per day. Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites, as well as killing the armed forces' chief of staff. In the aftermath of the strikes, Macron also spoke with leaders, including Trump and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Earlier Friday, Macron said Israel had the right to defend itself and ensure its security but also called for de-escalation. "To avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate," he said on X. Macron spoke after convening a meeting of the National Defence and Security Council. "All necessary steps will be taken to protect our nationals and our diplomatic and military missions in the region." Iran has gradually broken away from its commitments under the nuclear deal it struck with world powers including the United States and France in 2015. The landmark deal provided Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme, but it fell apart after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States during Trump's first term in 2018.
France 24
8 hours ago
- France 24
Spain economy minister urges fair, balanced EU-US tariff deal
"There is still a long way to go to reach an agreement, but there remains the will to do so," Cuerpo told AFP in an interview on Thursday. His comments came on the sidelines of a trip to Houston, Texas, as he sought to reassure Spanish businesses rattled by US President Donald Trump's wide-ranging tariffs. Trump has slapped a 10 percent tariff on almost all trading partners including the European Union since returning to the presidency in January. He also threatened to impose heftier duties of 50 percent on the bloc, although pausing the higher rate until July 9. For now, Trump's existing tariffs, including 25 percent US duties on imported automobiles and 50 percent levies on steel and aluminum, are affecting European companies, Cuerpo said. Pressure is mounting as July approaches. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC this week that an EU deal will likely be among the last that Washington completes, even as he remained optimistic that both sides would reach this goal. Arriving at a deal by July 9 would be ideal as it signals "certainty and confidence," Cuerpo said. He maintained that things are "progressing," stressing that "there is unanimity among the 27 member states to reach a fair and balanced agreement." No 'overreaction' He added that while Europe has prepared a response package to Trump's tariffs, Brussels is holding off implementation so that it cannot be "interpreted as an escalation in this tariff conflict." It is critical that the EU gives a "very clear signal" that it wants to strike a deal with the Trump administration, he said. "The fundamental thing is to avoid any element of overreaction," he added. Besides the EU, higher US tariffs on goods from dozens of economies including Japan and India are also due to take effect in July. Trump has taken an especially harsh stance on China as Beijing pushed back on US levies, with both sides engaging in an escalating tariffs war that has only been temporarily rolled back. The Spanish minister expects Trump's tariffs to have limited effect on his country's economic growth this year, given its smaller exposure to the US market. But he warned that certain sectors like olive oil and wine are at higher risk as more of such exports head to the United States. In the interim, Cuerpo noted the importance too of the Mercosur agreement, a trade deal between the European Union and four South American nations including Brazil. Asked if a new global trade order is emerging, Cuerpo said: "This feeling is widely shared." "We are witnessing a rebalancing of these trade relations at the international level and what nobody knows is what's the new point we will reach," he added.
France 24
8 hours ago
- France 24
World leaders call for restraint, de-escalation after Israeli strikes on Iran
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a "declaration of war"and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel would pay for its 'foolish mistake'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation in Iran would continue for 'as long as it takes' while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of "even more brutal" attacks if it does not make a deal on its nuclear programme". "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left ... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump said in a post on social media. Earlier the US President told Fox News that the US hoped to continue talks with Iran to end its escalating uranium enrichment programme. "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table," he said. 'Maximum restraint' French President Emmanuel Macron said Israel had the right to defend itself, but called for Israel and Iran to 'exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate', and "avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region". Macron spoke on the phone with Netanyahu after Israel launched its attack on Iran, the French presidential palace said on Friday, without giving further details. Macron also held a call on Friday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the situation, their offices said. "The leaders discussed the long-held grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, and called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilise the region," said a statement from Starmer's office. UN Chief Antonio Guterres also called for 'maximum restraint' from both sides to avoid "descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the regoin can hardly afford", his spokesperson said. Russia urged its citizens in Israel to leave the country, as spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies that the Israeli strikes were 'unprovoked'. 'Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions,' he said. China said it was 'deeply worried" about the "severe consequences" of Israel's actions, as it called on relevant parties to 'take actions that promote regional peace and stability". 'Dangerous escalation' Countries neighbouring Israel and Iran roundly condemned the attacks. Iraq said the Isreli stikes were a violation of international law and "a serious threat to international peace and security". It lodged a complaint with the United Nations Security Council over Israel's "violation' of its airspace during the attacks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the attacks a 'clear provocation that disregards international law'. A vocal critic of Israel and a fervent advocate of the Palestinian cause, Erdogan urged the international community to "put an end to Israeli banditry". Oman and Qatar said the attacks threatened stability in the region. Meanwhile, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, long seen as the Iran-led axis's most powerful group said that Israel's "brutal" strike threatened to "ignite the region". "This enemy adheres to no logic or laws and knows only the language of killing, fire, and destruction," the group said. Yemen's Houthi rebels said they backed Iran's 'full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means" to the Israeli strike. The Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war, said that Israel's 'aggression' constituted a 'dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region'.
