France Deploys 10,000 Troops in Response to Charlie Hebdo Attack

Fearing more attacks after the brutal assault on the newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the French government has deployed 10,000 soldiers to beef up security around the country.

The New York Times reports the soldiers will protect places likely to be targeted by Islamist terrorists such as Jewish schools and markets, and public transportation. The troops will also be used to help increase France's defenses against cyber attacks. Additionally, the troops will be used to help police French prisons with a reputation for the spread of radical Islamist ideals.

Some have criticized the deployment saying the action tramples upon the civil liberties of French citizens.

Along with the troop deployment, the French government announced that in three to four months' time, there will be a legislative proposal to increase the surveillance powers of the French security apparatus.

Reuters says that in addition to the 10,000 soldiers, some 5,000 more police than normal would also be on France's streets.

The police will also be sent to protest mosques throughout France. Since the attack, there have been dozens of hate crimes against Muslims and mosques in the forms of fire bombings and shootings.

The announcement of stepped up security comes just a day after the largest rallies in French history that saw millions pour into the streets along with world leaders who traveled to France in solidarity.

Millions of people marched in what was both a protest against extremism and in favor of free speech and multiculturalism.

The attack that spawned the enormous police response left 17 people dead after jihadists rampaged through the offices of Charlie Hebdo and a kosher grocery market.