France seeks security support from military and police forces of 45 countries for 2024 Olympics
- In Reports
- 06:53 PM, Mar 29, 2024
- Myind Staff
Government sources revealed that France has requested approximately 45 foreign countries to provide additional military, police, and civilian personnel to bolster security measures for the upcoming Paris Olympics this summer. The move comes amidst a complex geopolitical and security landscape.
France intends to deploy approximately 45,000 French police and security forces, along with 20,000 private security personnel and around 15,000 military personnel daily, to safeguard the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The event, expected to attract millions of sports enthusiasts and tourists, will span several weeks during the peak of summer. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, coupled with the ongoing threat of terrorist attacks, have prompted the French government to elevate its security alert to its highest level.
A French military official remarked, "The security context, particularly in recent weeks, means that there is extreme vigilance regarding the security of these Olympic Games."
It is not uncommon for international sporting events to witness the invitation of foreign police to aid in managing the influx of foreign visitors. However, it is less frequent to seek military assistance. During the last soccer World Cup held in Qatar, France provided military support to local authorities in the form of sniffer dogs and anti-drone personnel.
A French government source and an interior ministry source disclosed that in January, approximately 45 countries were approached with a request to bolster capacity with over 2,000 individuals, comprising both military and non-military personnel.
The request encompassed assistance for both military and police missions, covering motorised and equestrian brigades, document fraud experts, mine clearance specialists, anti-drone specialists, and dog sniffing teams.
Poland announced its participation in the international efforts by dispatching troops, including sniffer dog handlers. In March, Germany also confirmed its contribution.
Additionally, other European allies, such as Britain and Italy, will participate by deploying dozens of police officers to aid in street patrols, according to diplomats. A French government source stated that 35 countries had responded positively thus far.
"This mirrors the traditional method adopted by host countries for hosting major international events," stated an official from the interior ministry. They added that during the Rugby World Cup in 2023, 160 members of European security forces had participated in the tournament held last September.
Israel and the US will provide their own security resources, alongside broader requests from other countries. Due to heightened concerns about the safety of the Israeli delegation, additional security measures will be implemented, with Israeli officials already addressing potential challenges in France.
Image source: AP News
Comments