In the wake of last week’s terror attacks in Paris that left seventeen people dead, French authorities have decided on the largest “military force in France has … used in civilian protection” to date, The Washington Post reported today.

The extraordinary measures marked the first time such a large military force in France has been used in civilian protection, and brought the latest images of troops on Western streets — scenes reminiscent of the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States and later attacks in London and Madrid.

It also underscored the deep concerns about the possible risks of more terrorist strikes even as officials probe the roots of last week’s attacks by suspected Islamist militants.

“It’s the first time in the history of France” that the army has been used in such a way, said army Col. Benoit Brulen, who arrived with three soldiers at a Jewish school and synagogue in the city’s 11th arrondissement — not far from the satirical newspaper where the days of bloodshed began last week.

The decision to deploy the military is this unprecedented fashion was made at an emergency government meeting convened by President Francois Hollande. Brulen said that the decision was “an indication of the level of menace we face.”

The military deployment is in addition to the assignment of thousands of police officers to protect Jewish institutions across the country.

Last week, terrorists killed twelve at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, a policewoman, and four Jews in the siege of a kosher supermarket.

[Photo: DW (English) / YouTube ]