Dozens Dead in Marseille Gang War as Rival Drug Gangs Clash
The city of Marseille on France’s Mediterranean coast has been caught in the grip of a violent gang war between rival drug gangs, resulting in numerous casualties. According to the police, the two gangs, known as Yoda and DZ Mafia, are battling for control over the drug market in the notorious northern neighborhoods of the city. This year alone, there have been 36 deaths related to the gang war, surpassing the total number of casualties in 2022.
Described as a bloodbath by the city’s state prosecutor Dominique Laurens, the violence shows no signs of abating. Over the past month, an additional 12 people have lost their lives in brazen attacks. The most recent victim was a 30-year-old man who was shot with a Kalashnikov assault rifle in northern Marseille on Tuesday night.
According to police prefect Frederique Camilleri, the ongoing conflict is primarily between the Yoda and DZ Mafia gangs, accounting for 80 percent of the total 68 gang-related killings or attempted killings in Marseille this year. Shockingly, some of the victims and perpetrators are teenagers, highlighting the vicious nature of the clashes. In one particularly brutal incident, a 17-year-old was beaten to death by 30 attackers in a high-rise building known as La Paternelle. The killing was even live-streamed on Snapchat, adding to the gruesome spectacle.
Camilleri noted that while drug-related murders were previously driven by territorial disputes, the motive has now shifted to striking fear in rival gangs. She described this change as a paradigm shift where the killers aim to inflict terror and engage in a form of vendetta-driven blood feud. Notably, the perpetrators are becoming younger and less professional, with the recruitment of killers becoming increasingly commonplace.
Interestingly, despite law enforcement reporting greater success in combating the drug trade, gang-related murders have surged. Police have confiscated 740 weapons, including 62 assault rifles, since the beginning of the year—an increase of 24 percent compared to 2022. Additionally, they have arrested 1,144 drug dealers and dismantled numerous dealing spots, reducing the number by 70 since 2021. Furthermore, they have seized 12 million euros in criminal assets. The arrest of suspected drug dealer Mohamed Djeha, known as Mimo, in Algeria in June, represents a significant blow to the drug network.
In an effort to curb the violence, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the deployment of the CRS 8 police unit, specialized in urban violence situations, in the coming days. Their objective will be to target local networks and dealing spots aggressively for a week.
Recognizing the underlying issues contributing to the gangs’ recruitment of young individuals, President Emmanuel Macron announced measures to address schooling inequality and poverty in Marseille’s run-down neighborhoods during his visit in June. However, for many residents, fear remains pervasive, with some expressing a desire to leave the city.
Marseille’s long history of large-scale drug trafficking, dating back to its involvement in the infamous French Connection heroin smuggling network in the 1930s, further underscores the deep-rooted nature of the issue. Despite the dismantling of the French Connection network in the 1970s, drug-related problems continue to plague the city.
The ongoing gang war in Marseille highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address not only the violence but also the underlying socio-economic factors that perpetuate the cycle of crime. The battle for control over the drug market has spiraled into a deadly clash, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. As authorities strive to restore peace and security, the residents of Marseille remain caught in the crossfire, hoping for a brighter and safer future.
