France Prepares Unprecedented Security Measures for the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings
France is mobilizing an "exceptional device" of 43,000 police officers, gendarmes, firefighters, and soldiers to secure the 80th-anniversary ceremonies of the D-Day landings in Normandy from June 5 to 7. This massive deployment comes as nearly a million people, including 25 heads of state and government, are expected to attend around thirty ceremonies organized over three days in Brittany and Normandy.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin emphasized the scale of the effort, describing it as "the largest commemorative event in our history." Among the dignitaries attending will be US President Joe Biden, who will subsequently extend his stay in Paris, King Charles III of England, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Notably absent from the event will be Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Comprehensive Security Measures and High-Level Coordination
The highlight will be the June 6 ceremony near Omaha Beach, which will see the deployment of 12,000 police and gendarmes. Technicians from the air force and navy will focus on securing the airspace and maritime areas between Cherbourg and Hauts-de-France. Furthermore, a complete demining system comprising 80 deminers, including 16 divers and 50 dog teams, will be in place to ensure public safety.
Darmanin noted that, at this stage, intelligence services have not detected any particular threat to the ceremonies. However, the preparations take into account the broader context of national and international tensions, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the crisis in New Caledonia, and the persistent high-level terrorist threat. This extensive security plan aims to ensure that the commemorations proceed smoothly and safely.
- Emmanuel Macron has expressed his intention to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the event to announce further support for Ukraine. Macron refrained from commenting on speculation about the possible involvement of French military instructors in Ukraine, describing previous communications on the matter as uncoordinated and unfortunate.
- The security measures also reflect a broader strategy to safeguard not only the dignitaries but also the large number of spectators expected to attend. With 60 units of CRS and mobile gendarmes among the 12,000 agents deployed for June 6 alone, the French government is leveraging its full range of security capabilities to manage this historic event.
