Kurdish Protesters Clash with Police in Paris

A man holds a flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during protests in Republic Square in Paris, in protest against the killing of 3 Kurds in the French capital (Reuters)
A man holds a flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during protests in Republic Square in Paris, in protest against the killing of 3 Kurds in the French capital (Reuters)
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Kurdish Protesters Clash with Police in Paris

A man holds a flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during protests in Republic Square in Paris, in protest against the killing of 3 Kurds in the French capital (Reuters)
A man holds a flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during protests in Republic Square in Paris, in protest against the killing of 3 Kurds in the French capital (Reuters)

Clashes broke out for a second day in Paris on Saturday between police and members of the Kurdish community angry at the killing on Friday of three members of their community.

Cars were overturned, at least one vehicle was burned and small fires set alight near Republic Square, the traditional venue for demonstrations in the city where Kurds earlier held a peaceful protest.

Clashes broke out as some demonstrators left the square, throwing projectiles at police who responded with tear gas. Skirmishes continued for around two hours before the protesters dispersed.

A gunman carried out the killings at a Kurdish cultural center and nearby cafe on Friday in a busy part of Paris' 10th district, stunning a community preparing to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the unresolved murder of three activists, Reuters reported.

Police arrested a 69-year-old man who the authorities said had recently been freed from detention while awaiting trial for a saber attack on a migrant camp in Paris a year ago.

Following questioning of the suspect, investigators had added a suspected racist motive to initial accusations of murder and violence with weapons, the prosecutor's office said on Saturday.

After an angry crowd clashed with police on Friday afternoon, the Kurdish democratic council in France (CDK-F) organized a gathering on Saturday at Republic Square.

Hundreds of Kurdish protesters, joined by politicians including the mayor of Paris' 10th district, waved flags and listened to tributes to the victims.



Khamenei: Iran Will Not Delay Nor Rush to Confront Israel, Resistance Won’t Back Down

This image grab from a handout video provided by Iran Press on October 4, 2024, shows Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivering a rare Friday sermon at a mosque in Tehran. (Photo by IRAN PRESS / AFP)
This image grab from a handout video provided by Iran Press on October 4, 2024, shows Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivering a rare Friday sermon at a mosque in Tehran. (Photo by IRAN PRESS / AFP)
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Khamenei: Iran Will Not Delay Nor Rush to Confront Israel, Resistance Won’t Back Down

This image grab from a handout video provided by Iran Press on October 4, 2024, shows Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivering a rare Friday sermon at a mosque in Tehran. (Photo by IRAN PRESS / AFP)
This image grab from a handout video provided by Iran Press on October 4, 2024, shows Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivering a rare Friday sermon at a mosque in Tehran. (Photo by IRAN PRESS / AFP)

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Friday that Iran's recent missile attack on Israel was "legal and legitimate" and was the minimum punishment for Israel's "crimes."

Khamenei told a huge crowd during Friday prayer sermons that Iran will not "procrastinate nor act hastily to carry out its duty" in confronting Israel, adding that the missile attack on Israel was "legal and legitimate."

Iran launched a barrage of missiles against Israel on Tuesday in what it said was retaliation for Israeli strikes that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last Friday and the assassination of Hamas' chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.

Iran blames Israel for Haniyeh's killing. Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday Israel's response to Iran’s barrage of missiles could include a strike on Iran's oil facilities.

Khamenei also said on Friday that the US and its allies were preserving the security of Israel to make it an energy exporting gate from the region to the West, but that the resistance in the region would not back down against Israel.

He urged nations from “Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen” to be ready to take action against the enemy, and praised those who had died doing so.
“Our resisting people in Lebanon and Palestine, you brave fighters, you loyal and patient people, these martyrdoms and the blood that was shed shouldn’t shake your determination but make you more persistent,” he said.
Khamenei gave half of the speech in Arabic as he addressed his comments to Arab nations.
Khamenei's last appearance at Friday prayers was after the death of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in a US drone strike in Baghdad.
A ceremony commemorating Nasrallah's assassination was held before Khamenei’s speech. Most high-ranking Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and top Revolutionary Guard generals, attended the ceremony.