France to deploy troops to New Caledonia

France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has said his country's authorities will use the military to protect the seaports and airports of New Caledonia (a French overseas territory) amidst the ongoing unrest, per TASS.

"Members of the armed forces will be deployed to ensure the security of the ports and airports of New Caledonia," the BFMTV TV channel quotes the words of the head of the government.

According to him, the authorities ordered to suspend the work of the social network TikTok in New Caledonia.

"Members of the armed forces will be deployed to ensure the security of the ports and airports of New Caledonia," the BFMTV TV channel quotes the words of the head of the government.

He said the authorities ordered to suspend the work of the social network TikTok in New Caledonia.

On May 13, a demonstration in Nouméa, the capital of the Overseas Territory, protesting against the French bill to expand the electorate in local elections turned into riots. The instigators looted and set fire to shops, pharmacies and petrol stations. Many minors were among the participants. Due to the outbreak of violence in the Nouméa agglomeration, educational institutions were temporarily closed, a curfew was imposed (from 18:00 to 06:00), and all gatherings, weapons and alcohol sales were prohibited.

On May 15, the Elysee Palace announced the declaration of a state of emergency in New Caledonia for a period of 12 days. In addition, the authorities intend to send reinforcements of 500 police officers and gendarmes to the 1,800 already on the ground. The head of the French Interior Ministry, Gérald Darmanin, announced "hundreds" of casualties, including about 100 law enforcement officers in New Caledonia.