France Deploys Army, Special Forces Ahead of Saturday Protests

The French government is preparing to deploy military and police forces on a massive scale ahead of planned protests on Saturday, October 24, after last weekend's riots and looting exposed serious failures in security preparations.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that the new plan will include significant force reinforcements alongside deployment of special units designed to handle violent disorder.

In a session held Tuesday at the National Assembly, Nuñez stated that soldiers from the French military's Operation Sentinelle will take part in the security deployment. The troops will be positioned primarily in static security assignments, with the aim of freeing up police officers and gendarmes to focus on riot suppression and pursuit of rioters.

But the main shift is expected in expanded use of special units and operational measures. Nuñez declared his intention to increase the number of available forces and reinforce units deployed in the field, similar to steps taken during the July 2023 riots.

Among the forces and measures set to participate in the operation are the elite GIGN and RAID units, the Paris police intervention unit BRI, police helicopters, and Centaure armored vehicles. Water cannons for crowd dispersal will also be deployed.

Major failure. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez (Photo: shutterstock)

The minister acknowledged that some of these measures were already activated during the riots on Saturday, October 17, but stressed that this time a broader deployment is required. According to him, the goal is not only to increase the number of officers and fighters, but also to change the method of operation in the field.

The lesson from failure: less standing in place, more pursuit of rioters

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also admitted that security forces' deployment at the previous event was too static and did not allow for a fast enough response. As a result, the government seeks to move to an operational method based on mobility and rapid response, which will enable forces to locate groups of rioters who disperse quickly between different locations.

Nuñez explained that an operational doctrine must be formulated that focuses on the ability to reach violent groups quickly, rather than settling for positioning forces at fixed points. The decision comes after sharp criticism directed at the police following the looting and destruction events over the weekend.

At the same time, the government is considering expanding the option to ban demonstrations that could deteriorate into violence. According to the minister, the ban may apply both to demonstrations not reported in advance to authorities and to approved demonstrations, if the organizers or their security arrangements do not provide sufficient guarantees for maintaining public order.

Nuñez promised elected officials that the government will act decisively ahead of the coming events. According to him, he himself will oversee the handling of the situation in the coming days, and promised that security forces will be prepared for the mission.

Meanwhile, the night curfew continues tonight in various areas of France, following the looting and violence that erupted during the protests on October 17. In Paris, the curfew was renewed in areas around Place de la République and the La Halle district, between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, alongside a ban on gatherings in additional areas of the capital.

In Marseille, night restrictions were imposed on minors in areas affected by looting, and in other cities restrictions continue according to local authority decisions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that additional curfews will be imposed wherever the situation requires it, with the aim of preventing further violent outbreaks.