Skip to main content

Fights break out as Kurds protest the French government's denial of a terrorist attack

 


Following the murder of three Kurds in what is being considered to be a probable racist incident, there have been widespread protests in Paris.

The fact that the authorities did not view the attack at a Kurdish centre as a terrorist act has enraged the Kurdish diaspora in Paris.

A 69-year-old man opened fire on a crowd of individuals early on Friday morning at the Ahmet-Kaya centre on Rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement. One of the three victims is badly injured.

All of the dead were Kurdish community members who passed away both inside and outside the cultural centre.

Agit Polat, a spokesman for the Kurdish centre, charged that French officials "yet again failed to safeguard us... This is a terrorist attack in our eyes, according to the AFP news agency.

In the afternoon, a number of protestors, largely from the Kurdish diaspora, got into a fight with the police outside the centre and in the streets close by, throwing rocks and torching trash cans. Police used tear gas in response, and 11 cops were reportedly injured.

The Guardian reports that another protest is scheduled for Saturday at Place de la République in the city.

The gunman appeared to be targeting "foreigners in general," according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, rather than specifically the Kurdish population.

Darmanin was cited as adding, "More should be known about his motives after he had been questioned by police."

The minister added that following the attack, security had been stepped up at Kurdish sites and Turkish diplomatic facilities.

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, denounced the "heinous attack" that "the Kurds of France have been the target" in a tweet.

"A terrible attack in the centre of Paris was directed at the Kurds of France. My condolences go out to the victims, the survivors, their families, and loved ones. My appreciation to our law police for their bravery and composure," stated Macron.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

1 Saudi Move & Impact On West Asian Geopolitics

  As one of the most influential players in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's actions have far-reaching consequences for West Asian geopolitics. In recent years, we've seen several moves from this powerful nation that are shaking up traditional power dynamics and creating new alliances. From its diplomatic spat with Qatar to its growing relationship with Israel, Saudi Arabia is making bold moves that could change the face of West Asia as we know it. Join us as we dive into the geopolitical implications of Saudi Arabia's latest actions and explore what they mean for the future of this critical region. Saudi Arabia has long been a dominant force in the Middle East, wielding its oil wealth and religious influence to shape regional politics. Its alliance with the United States has given it even greater sway on the global stage, making it a key player in shaping West Asian geopolitics. However, Saudi Arabia's role in the region is not without controversy. Its support for conse

Verbal spat between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel judicial overhaul

  The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, turned down United States President Joe Biden’s suggestion that the Israeli government “walks away” from a plan to overhaul the country’s legal system. A verbal spat between the two close allies took place on Wednesday. The US President and Israeli Prime Minister exchanged a few words on judicial changes in Israel. On Tuesday, reporters asked Joe Biden about Israel’s judicial overhaul planned reforms. Biden reportedly said, “I hope he (Netanyahu) walks away from it.” He said that the Israeli government “cannot continue down this road” and urged compromise on this plan to overhaul the country’s legal system. Subsequently, the Israeli PM said that his country makes its own decisions. He reportedly said in a statement, “Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.” Netanyahu’s latest comments came a day after he delaye