The day after the tragic attack which cost the life of a teacher in Arras, the Élysée announced on Saturday morning the deployment of 7,000 soldiers from the Sentinel force throughout the country by Monday. This decision follows the commemoration of the assassination of Samuel Paty, a history and geography teacher beheaded in 2020 for showing caricatures of Mohammed during a course on freedom of expression.
This measure aims to strengthen security in a context of fears of importing international conflicts into France, particularly after recent events in the Middle East. The “emergency attack” alert level has been triggered, thus allowing exceptional mobilization of resources within a limited period of time.
The Sentinel force, deployed for the first time in 2015 after the attacks against Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Cacher, has the mission of strengthening internal security and protecting sensitive locations. This massive mobilization of soldiers aims to deter any attempted terrorist attack and to ensure the safety of French citizens.
The Arras attack comes at a particularly delicate moment as France prepares to commemorate the assassination of Samuel Paty. This tragic event left its mark and reminded us of the need to defend freedom of expression, while strengthening security measures to protect teachers and educational establishments.
The announcement of the deployment of the Sentinel force shows the government’s commitment to guaranteeing the security of citizens and to fighting terrorism. However, it is essential to remember that security should not be the only objective, but also the promotion of living together, dialogue and tolerance.
In conclusion, the deployment of 7,000 soldiers from the Sentinel force in France shows the government’s desire to strengthen security in a context of international tension and commemoration of a tragic event. However, it is important to remember that security must not come at the expense of the fundamental principles of our society, such as freedom of expression and mutual respect. The challenge lies in finding a balance between security and democratic values.