Manashimaya
For France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, tasked with securing the Paris Olympics, the sabotage attacks on the high-speed rail network are a significant blow. He has vowed swift arrests, but so far, has not indicated who might be responsible. Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra assured that the culprits wouldn’t spoil the Olympics, yet the TGV network was attacked just hours before the opening ceremony, causing chaos for travellers and exposing the vulnerability of France’s technological prowess.
In considering potential suspects in the attack on France’s high-speed rail, we must acknowledge the immediate suspicion directed towards ultra-left radicals. Security sources briefing the French media highlighted methods reminiscent of previous extreme left attacks, particularly the setting fire to critical optical fibers and other cables. However, no group has claimed responsibility, leaving the true culprits still unknown.
Caretaker Prime Minister Gabriel Attal has advised caution in concluding, noting that those behind the attack clearly understood what would cause the most damage. The broad nature of the attacks, coordinated across four distinct regions, suggests a level of organisation that may not typically align with the extreme left. Nevertheless, the methods used and the timing of the attack, targeting the TGV network on the eve of the Olympics, indicate a well-planned operation.
In considering potential suspects in the attack on France’s high-speed rail, parallels can be drawn with past incidents. For example, when cable ducts near Hamburg in Germany were set alight last September, an anonymous claim appeared on a left-wing website condemning “capitalist infrastructure.” Despite the similarities, the coordination required for the French attacks points to a more sophisticated operation, possibly beyond the scope of typical left-wing radicals.
The sabotage involved multiple regions, cutting off major TGV arteries to the north, east, and west, with an alert engineering crew preventing further disruption to the southeast line. Regional forces are collecting evidence, with national police, the gendarmerie, and the anti-terrorist SDAT leading the investigation. The failed saboteurs near Vergigny, who left behind intact incendiary devices, may provide crucial clues.
Potential suspects in the attack on France’s high-speed rail also include foreign actors. Earlier this year, the Interior Minister warned of a high “external” threat, potentially from jihadist groups. While France has experienced deadly jihadist attacks in recent years, none have involved sabotage of this nature. The attack caused significant disruption for travellers but no bloodshed, differentiating it from typical jihadist actions.
Suspicion also falls on Russia, a country currently engaged in a high-profile disinformation campaign against France amidst its invasion of Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin social media accounts have targeted the Paris Games, ridiculing the quality of the River Seine’s water and attacking President Emmanuel Macron. Despite Russia’s denials of interference, French officials suspect Moscow’s involvement in recent destabilising incidents in Paris. However, the precise targeting of the rail network suggests knowledge that may exceed Russia’s reach in rural France.
Jean-Pierre Farandou, head of the state-owned rail company SNCF, indicated that the saboteurs targeted intersections to maximise disruption. The attack at Courtalain severed two high-speed lines on the Atlantic artery, while another attack in the east affected lines to Metz and Strasbourg. Romain de Calbiac, a French security expert, speculated that the attackers may have received internal help or information from foreign states with knowledge of the French rail network.
Potential suspects in the attack on France’s high-speed rail have increased scrutiny from SNCF, which has highlighted a rising trend in rail network attacks, particularly ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Although the company has detected all attacks, it only prevented one from causing significant damage through a stroke of luck.
As France grapples with the aftermath of these coordinated attacks, the investigation continues, seeking to identify and apprehend those responsible. The disruption may have marred the start of the Olympics, but authorities remain vigilant in ensuring the security of France’s high-speed rail network.
