France revamps domestic Sentinel anti-terrorism program

PARIS — The French government is making changes to the military force that was created to protect sensitive sites after the deadly extremist attacks on France in 2015.

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said the number of troops involved in the Sentinel operation would remain at 7,000 under the plan. But she added their assignments will be made with a greater focus on temporary and seasonal events.

Parly said the soldiers will continue to patrol in and around major tourist sites, places of worship, train stations, and airports. But she also said they will move more easily around the country based on local officials’ requests.

Police and military forces have been targets of attacks themselves. Last month a man rammed his car into a group of soldiers near Paris, injuring six of them.

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France restructuring domestic Sentinel anti-terrorism mission

Under Sentinel, half the troops patrol the streets of Paris in soft berets with assault rifles, and the other half is deployed in cities around the country in a deliberately highly manner to deter attacks by militants.

By Pierre Tran

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