French soldiers to face military court over letter warning of ‘civil war’

Letter signed by at least 18 soldiers as well as a number of retired military figures calls for protection of civilisational values'

At least 18 soldiers who signed an open letter warning of the risk of civil war" in France and the need to fight the perils" of Islamism" and anti-racism" are to face military sanctions, amid a bitter row between the government and the far-right.

The open letter, published by rightwing magazine Valeurs Actuelles, warned of the dangers" of Islamism and the hordes from the banlieue" and accused anti-racism groups of creating hatred between communities" with their support for tearing down statues of French figures from colonial times.