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Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Masked Rioters Attack Highway in Central France
Dozens of masked assailants wielding metal bars and Molotov cocktails attacked cars on a highway and clashed with police Saturday in the city of Limoges in central France, officials said. The overnight clashes left 10 police wounded, according to authorities, who said they suspect a gang turf war. The unrest came in the middle of France's summer tourism season. The armed attackers descended on the RN141 highway and tried to block it during a battle with police, according to officials. "There were between 100 and 150 masked individuals, armed with Molotov cocktails, fireworks, stones, iron bars and baseball bats," local police union leader Laurent Nadeau told AFP. Police responded with tear gas and crowd-control munitions. Mayor Emile Roger Lombertie called the rioters an "urban guerrilla group". "They're organized, structured, there's a plan, weapons," he said. "This was not a spontaneous protest to complain about something. No pretext, nothing. It's about destroying things and showing the territory belongs to you," Lombertie added. Prosecutors said vehicles were attacked but there were no immediate reports of wounded drivers. Unrest had erupted nearby, in Val de l'Aurence, on the night of July 14, France's national day. Lombertie said this "very poor neighborhood, with young people from immigrant backgrounds" had become a "lawless zone". France's interior ministry announced on Saturday plans to deploy a special security force to the city.
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Masked rioters clash with police after attacking motorists in French city of Limoges
Dozens of masked assailants wielding metal bars, mortars and Molotov cocktails attacked cars on a busy road and clashed with police early Saturday in the city of Limoges in central France, officials said. The overnight Friday to Saturday clashes left nine police wounded, according to authorities, who said they suspect a gang turf war. The unrest came in the middle of France's summer tourism season. The armed attackers descended on the RN141 throughway and tried to block it during a battle with police, according to officials. "There were between 100 and 150 masked individuals, armed with Molotov cocktails, fireworks, stones, iron bars and baseball bats," local police union leader Laurent Nadeau told AFP. Police responded with tear gas and crowd-control munitions. Mayor Emile Roger Lombertie called the rioters an "urban guerrilla group". "They're organised, structured, there's a plan, weapons," he said. "This was not a spontaneous protest to complain about something. No pretext, nothing. It's about destroying things and showing the territory belongs to you," Lombertie added. Motorists 'shocked' Prosecutors said vehicles, some with families and children, were attacked but there were no immediate reports of wounded drivers. "None of the motorists were physically assaulted. However, several are particularly shocked," prosecutors said in a statement. Unrest had erupted nearby, in Val de l'Aurence, on the night of July 14, France's national day. Lombertie said this "very poor neighbourhood, with young people from immigrant backgrounds" had become a "lawless zone". The Limoges prosecutor, Emilie Abrantes, said that while the neighbourhood is "known" for drug trafficking, there was no evidence linking the unrest to recent investigations into drug trafficking. France's interior ministry announced on Saturday plans to deploy a special security force to the city.
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First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
France: Masked rioters unleashes violence on highway in Limoges, clashes with police
A violent overnight attack in the French city of Limoges saw dozens of masked individuals armed with weapons clash with police and target vehicles on a major highway. Authorities suspect the incident, which left nine officers injured, was linked to a gang turf war. read more Police stand at the front of the Richmond Road Baptist Church as other officers maintain a perimeter following a shooting at the church in Lexington, Ky. AP Dozens of masked attackers armed with metal rods, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails clashed with police and targeted vehicles on a highway in central France's Limoges early Saturday, officials said. The violent overnight incident left nine police officers injured and is believed to be linked to a turf war between gangs, according to authorities. The attackers attempted to block the RN141 highway, disrupting traffic and confronting police with weapons ranging from stones and iron bars to petrol bombs. Officers responded with tear gas and crowd-control measures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'There were between 100 and 150 masked individuals, armed and prepared,' said local police union leader Laurent Nadeau. Limoges Mayor Émile Roger Lombertie described the group as an 'urban guerrilla' unit. 'This wasn't a protest or demonstration. There was no message, no cause—just destruction and a show of force,' he said. Prosecutors confirmed that several vehicles, including those carrying families with children, were attacked. While no motorists were physically harmed, many were left deeply shaken. The violence comes in the middle of France's busy summer tourism season. Just days earlier, unrest had broken out in the nearby Val de l'Aurence area on Bastille Day, July 14. The mayor described the neighborhood—home to many immigrants and known for poverty—as a 'lawless zone.' Limoges prosecutor Émilie Abrantes acknowledged the area's reputation for drug activity but said there was no clear link between the attack and recent anti-drug operations. France's interior ministry has announced that a special security force will be deployed to Limoges to restore order.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Masked rioters attack highway and clash with police in Limoges, France
Dozens of masked assailants wielding metal bars, mortars and molotov cocktails attacked cars on a highway and clashed with police early on Saturday in the city of Limoges in central France, officials said. The overnight clashes left nine police wounded, according to authorities, who said they suspected a gang turf war. The unrest came in the middle of France's summer tourism season. The armed attackers descended on the RN141 throughway and tried to block it during a battle with police, according to officials. 'There were between 100 and 150 masked individuals, armed with molotov cocktails, fireworks, stones, iron bars and baseball bats,' local police union leader Laurent Nadeau told AFP. Police responded with teargas and crowd-control munitions. Mayor Émile-Roger Lombertie called the rioters an 'urban guerrilla group'. 'They're organised, structured, there's a plan, weapons,' he said. 'This was not a spontaneous protest to complain about something. No pretext, nothing. It's about destroying things and showing the territory belongs to you.' Prosecutors said vehicles, some with families and children, were attacked but there were no immediate reports of wounded drivers. 'None of the motorists were physically assaulted. However, several are particularly shocked,' prosecutors said in a statement. Unrest had erupted nearby, in Val de l'Aurence, on the night of 14 July, France's national day. Lombertie said this 'very poor neighbourhood, with young people from immigrant backgrounds' had become a 'lawless zone'. The Limoges prosecutor, Émilie Abrantes, said that although the neighbourhood was 'known' for drug trafficking, there was no evidence linking the unrest to recent investigations into drug trafficking. France's interior ministry announced on Saturday plans to deploy a special security force to the city.
Local France
2 days ago
- Local France
Masked rioters attack highway in France
The overnight clashes left 10 police wounded, according to authorities, who said they suspect a gang turf war. The unrest came in the middle of France's summer tourism season. The armed attackers descended on the RN141 highway and tried to block it during a battle with police, according to officials. "There were between 100 and 150 masked individuals, armed with Molotov cocktails, fireworks, stones, iron bars and baseball bats," local police union leader Laurent Nadeau told AFP. Police responded with tear gas and crowd-control munitions. Mayor Emile Roger Lombertie called the rioters an "urban guerrilla group". "They're organised, structured, there's a plan, weapons," he said. "This was not a spontaneous protest to complain about something. No pretext, nothing. It's about destroying things and showing the territory belongs to you," Lombertie added. Advertisement Prosecutors said vehicles were attacked but there were no immediate reports of wounded drivers. Unrest had erupted nearby, in Val de l'Aurence, on the night of July 14, France's national day. Lombertie said this "very poor neighbourhood, with young people from immigrant backgrounds" had become a "lawless zone". France's interior ministry announced on Saturday plans to deploy a special security force to the city.
