On the evening of July 11, law enforcement authorities carried out a large-scale evacuation of approximately 300 residents in the Paris suburb of Sarcelles, home to a significant Jewish community. The operation was prompted by suspicions of a planned attack on the Jewish community.
According to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, the reason was the discovery of a suspicious vehicle near a synagogue. The car contained weapons, including a “military-grade weapon.” France’s anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation on suspicion of forming a terrorist criminal organization with the aim of preparing attacks.
The evacuation was carried out swiftly and affected one neighborhood of the city. Residents were temporarily moved out of the potential danger zone, after which security services conducted the necessary checks. As of now, there is no official information about any arrests or confirmed perpetrators.
Sarcelles has found itself in the spotlight more than once due to heightened tensions surrounding the Jewish community in France amid escalating international conflicts. Authorities emphasize that such measures help prevent potential threats.
The operation ended without casualties or serious incidents. The investigation is ongoing.