Multiple prisons in France have been the goal of automatic weapon fire and burning vans and cars.
Jails in Toulon, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, Valence and Nîmes, Luynes, Villepinte and Nanterre were all under ‘coordinated’ attacks overnight.
Shooters armed with automatic weapons unleashed fire on the gate of a jail within the southern city of Toulon just after 1am.
Pictures from the scene shows large bullet holes within the door and a number of other ammunition cases on the bottom.
Footage from Agen, a city in southwestern France, shows a row of at the very least seven cars burning within the automotive park outside the prison there.
French minister of justice, Gerald Darmanin, confirmed the attacks, adding that he’s en path to Toulon this morning.
He said in an announcement: ‘Prisons are facing intimidation attempts starting from vehicle burning to automatic weapon fire.
‘I’m travelling to Toulon to support the officers involved. The Republic is facing drug trafficking and is taking measures that can profoundly disrupt criminal networks. It’s challenged and will likely be firm and courageous.’
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