France to Boost Holiday Security After String of Attacks

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced Tuesday that there will be increased police and military presence in public areas over the Christmas holidays since a string of attacks left 20 people injured since Saturday.

Valls said 300 soldiers would be deployed to monitor French streets after the series of attacks in different cities. On Saturday, a man shouting “God is great!” in Arabic was shot by the police after allegedly attacking them, the BBC reports. On Sunday, another man shouting the same phrase injured 13 people when he drove into a group of pedestrians in Dijon. On Monday, a van drove into a Christmas market in Nantes, injuring 10 people.

Of the 10 injured pedestrians, 5 are in serious condition and one injury is life-threatening. Valls said on television Tuesday that 200-300 soldiers would be deployed within hours to keep the streets safe.

The Prime Minister said there was “no link” between the attacks, but urged public “vigilance.” President Francois Hollande has called an emergency cabinet meeting.

[BBC]