International-News

France, urban guerrilla warfare in the suburbs: armed ambushes against police and firefighters

Violent riots in Limoges and Béziers: youth gangs armed with Molotov cocktails and fireworks. Several officers injured

The suburbs of southern and central France are the scene of a new wave of violence, with organised ambushes and armed attacks against law enforcement. The backdrop to this is, on the one hand, growing tension between groups of young people in difficult neighbourhoods and, on the other, the struggle for control of drug trafficking.

On Friday night, Limoges was the scene of urban warfare. Around a hundred individuals with their faces covered by balaclavas, armed with Molotov cocktails, sticks and firearms, attacked several dozen police officers who had intervened in the neighbourhood to quell unrest. The clash lasted over three hours, with episodes of violence also against passing cars, some with children on board. The toll: nine officers injured. An investigation has been opened for armed revolt, violence against public officials and aggravated extortion by an organised gang.

The following day, a new attack was recorded in Béziers. This time, the target was the fire brigade, who were lured to a burning apartment by a hoax call. When they arrived on the scene, they were targeted by about 50 attackers, some of whom were even positioned on the roofs, according to Commissioner Eric Agniel. Once again, police intervention was necessary. One officer was seriously injured.

The apartment, hit by a firework rocket thrown from a window, was almost completely destroyed. A woman with three children lived inside. About ten residents were evacuated.

According to investigators, these incidents are linked to the war for control of drug trafficking. After Marseille, the conflict is spreading to medium-sized cities such as Limoges and Béziers, fuelling social tensions and increasingly violent clashes.

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