A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France has initiated a major reinforcement operation to bolster security forces in New Caledonia. This move follows several nights of protests and unrest over electoral reforms in the French Pacific island territory. Amid the riots, which have included incidents of looting and arson, four people, including a police officer, have died.

Reinforcements, comprising police and soldiers, are being airlifted from France to New Caledonia. The capital, Noumea, remains under a state of emergency, with French troops deployed to support additional police officers on the ground. The violence has left the situation extremely tense, with ongoing incidents of looting, fires, and assaults.

The unrest began after the French parliament passed a constitutional reform bill, allowing all French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for more than ten years to vote in elections. The Kanak indigenous community, which constitutes about 40 percent of the population, has accused France of trying to dilute their voting power. New Caledonia, rich in minerals and home to one of the world's biggest nickel mining industries, also grapples with significant poverty, affecting one in five residents.

Additional footage from the riots was captured by a local businessman, showing extensive damage caused by the ongoing violence. The business owner reported seeing looted stores, fires in docks and warehouses, and having to carry a gun for protection amid the unrest.

French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered the deployment of forces to control the violence while also calling for dialogue with the opposition in New Caledonia. However, the possibility of such dialogue seems uncertain at this moment.



France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

Reinforcements to strengthen the ranks of security forces, 17,000 kilometers away in New Caledonia, head out from France on a mission to quell the violence. In New Caledonia's capital Noumea, looting and arson continue despite a curfew and state of emergency. French troops have also been deployed to back up hundreds of extra police officers. The mineral-rich Pacific island became a colony in the 19th century. It still remains under French control. The situation there remains very tense, with looting, riots, fires and assaults that are obviously intolerable and unspeakable. I would remind you that two gendarmes have died. A gendarme was shot in the head yesterday. Another gendarme died today as a result of a weapon mishandling. When the rioting started earlier this week, politicians from the Kanak indigenous community accused France of trying to dilute their voting power. The French parliament has adopted a constitutional reform bill which will allow all French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for more than 10 years to vote in elections. The Kanaks, who make up about 40 percent of the population, say they're being marginalised by the French. New Caledonia has one of the biggest nickel mining industries in the world, but one in five residents live below the poverty line. These images of damage from the rioting were filmed on Thursday by a businessman who says he had to pass through roadblocks controlled by gunmen. What is really happening is that as I move a lot to see family members or keep an eye on my properties, I see everything on the roads. I see the stores looted by the people. I see the fires in the docks, warehouses, offices. I admit even I carry a gun with me all the time to handle any situation. The reform bill needs to be ratified by Congress before becoming law. While French forces clamp down on violence on the orders of President Emmanuel Macron, he's also calling for dialogue with the opposition in New Caledonia. Right now, that seems unlikely. Andrew Simmons, Al Jazeera.

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