French authorities are grappling with a new spike in violence in the country's overseas territories as security forces killed two men in New Caledonia and officials ordered a curfew after rioting in Martinique.

French police have shot and killed two men in New Caledonia during a security operation, as the territory remains gripped by unrest over a proposed constitutional reform. Tensions around the

Security forces in New Caledonia killed two men during an overnight operation, the public prosecutor said Thursday, taking the death toll to 13 after months of unrest in the French Pacific territory.Public prosecutor Yves Dupas said security forces on an observation mission fired two shots after being "directly threatened by a group of armed individuals".

French police shot and killed two men in New Caledonia on Thursday morning, stoking tensions with pro-independence groups days ahead of a public holiday marking France’s annexation of the Pacific archipelago.

Fresh violence erupted Wednesday night when security forces attempted to enter village near capital Noumea, according to reports

This latest incident brings the total number of deaths in the French Pacific territory to 13 since unrest broke out in mid-May.