France goes on “emergency attack” alert, announces Matignon

This is the highest level of the Vigipirate system, which has three. France went on “emergency attack” alert on Friday, October 13, after the knife attack which left one dead and three injured in a high school in Arras (Pas-de-Calais). This level, which reports to the head of government, is intended to be put in place immediately following an attack or if an identified and unlocalized terrorist group takes action.

It allows the exceptional mobilization of resources, but also to disseminate information likely to protect citizens in a crisis situation. “It is put in place in principle for a limited period, the time of crisis management. It makes it possible in particular to ensure the exceptional mobilization of resources, but also to disseminate information likely to protect citizens”specifies the government website.

Its last triggering was in October 2020

“There is a link between what undoubtedly happened in the Middle East and the act” of the attacker, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin declared on TF1. In France, “there is no clear threat, there is an extremely negative atmosphere, particularly due to the call for acts.”

At this level of vigilance, “it’s to tell all administrations to be careful” and “it allows our military friends from Operation Sentinel to gain strength”explained the minister. “A few thousand” additional soldiers “will help the police and the gendarmerie, to monitor shopping centers, to protect all French people in their everyday lives”. The last “emergency attack” outbreak dates back to October 2020, after the assassination of three people in a basilica in Nice.