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Iran-linked group claims arson attacks in Antwerp and London
On March 23, Ashab al Yamin, a group with ties to the Islamic Republic, took responsibility for attacks in Antwerp and in London. The incidents raise the total number of claimed attacks by the Iran-linked group against Jewish and Western sites to seven.
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Purported Iran-backed group claims responsibility for attacks in Belgium and Greece
A previously unknown organization called the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right claimed responsibility for an explosion that targeted a synagogue in Liège, Belgium, and another unconfirmed attack at an unknown location in Greece this week. It is unclear if the organization is authentic, but recent Iranian threats aimed at European countries over the war could indicate a connection to the Islamic Republic.
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Islamic State claims its soldier killed 3 in Liège, Belgium
The Islamic State’s Amaq News Agency has issued a short statement claiming that the assailant who conducted the attack in Liège, Belgium yesterday was one of the group’s soldiers. Amaq did not provide any descriptive information about the attacker, whom authorities have identified as a criminal on temporary leave from prison.
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Islamic State propaganda celebrates Brussels attacks
The Islamic State’s propagandists have celebrated the terrorist attacks in Brussels with videos, articles and infographics praising the three suicide bombers responsible. One video features two Belgian fighters who say the operation was a “new 9/11” and part of Osama bin Laden’s legacy.
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Terrorists attack subway, airport in Brussels
Amaq News Agency, a propaganda arm of the Islamic State, has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks in Belgium earlier today. Belgium has long been in the Islamic State’s crosshairs.
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Key suspect in Paris attacks has been featured in Islamic State propaganda
The Islamic State has sought to execute terrorist attacks in the West for well over a year. Abdelhamid Abaaoud has been featured by the Islamic State in its propaganda for plotting terrorist attacks in Europe in the past. Belgian police raided Abaaoud’s cell and killed two of his accomplices in January during a shootout in Brussels.
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Belgium
Dutch police search house of 18-year-old Belgian raid suspect
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Belgium
Belgians held in France after foiled plot ‘were fleeing to Italy’
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Belgium
As Terrorism Suspects Are Detained in Europe, Scope of Challenge Is Highlighted
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European Union
Stockpiles of firearms found in European anti-terror raids
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Belgium
Police arrested 15 people in a dozen raids yesterday in Brussels and Vervier who are suspected of planning to attack police stations and kill officers; police uniforms, guns, explosives, and cash were seized during the raids. Terrorism charges were filed against five people. Some of the suspects had fought in Syria, and “most” were said to be Belgian. Two suspects were arrested in France, but Belgian authorities said the investigation had begun before last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris. The government announced new antiterrorism measures. Authorities estimate that 300-350 people have left Belgium to fight for jihadist groups in Syria…
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Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Belgian police foil terror attacks on ‘grand scale’
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Belgian authorities launch counterterrorism raids, killing 2
Belgian authorities launched a series of counterterrorism raids earlier today. Two suspects were killed in a shootout. Early reporting, which has not been confirmed, says that some of the suspects were acting on orders from the Islamic State.
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Belgium
Two or three people are said to have been killed and several others arrested when counterterrorism forces conducted a raid in Vervier against a suspected Islamic State cell. The cell members were said to be planning attacks in Europe at the direction of Islamic State commanders; the jihadists had recently returned from Syria. Other raids were reportedly taking place in Brussels, Molenbeek, and Vilvorde. Authorities arrested a man in Charleroi on arms charges that may relate to last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
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Belgium
Police arrested a 52-year-old man for threatening to bomb a Belgian newspaper because he did not like its coverage of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris; he was previously convicted of arson against a right-wing political party. About 20,000 people marched in Brussels yesterday against extremism and attacks on free speech. Authorities are seeking to tap phone calls of suspected terrorists and to take further measures against the radicalization of inmates in Belgian prisons.
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Al Qaeda
‘Hacktivist’ group Anonymous says it will avenge Charlie Hebdo attacks by shutting down jihadist websites
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Belgium
The judges in the Sharia4Belgium case postponed the verdict until Feb. 11; Fouad Belkacem, the chief suspect among 46 defendants, is accused of recruiting jihadists to fight in Syria. A judge extended the detention of Jejoen Bontinck, a defendant and key witness in the case who was recently arrested while trying to fly to Turkey. Home Minister Jambon called for stricter enforcement of border checks within the EU’s Schengen zone. The mayor of Antwerp proposed that the Belgian Army begin carrying out guard duty and surveillance in order to help prevent terrorist attacks.
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Belgium
Police arrested eight people suspected of throwing petrol bombs last night at a police station in the Laken area of Brussels. Prime Minister Michel ordered a security review in the wake of today’s terrorist attack in Paris. A hospital in Antwerp province is purchasing bulletproof vests for its ambulance staff to protect them from “an increasing number of aggressive patients.”
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Belgium
Former Syrian jihadist Jejoen Bontinck, a defendant and witness in an ongoing trial against Sharia4Belgium, was arrested at the airport in Brussels as he was attempting to fly to Turkey with his girlfriend. Interior Minister Jambon said Belgium is planning to launch a deradicalization program to discourage would-be jihadists, after being asked to do so by the European Union.
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European Union
European Union to set up expert cell to fight jihadi propaganda: report
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Belgium
Authorities in Dendermonde said a drone was seen flying over the Doel nuclear power plant yesterday, a day after one of the plant’s reactors came back online. On Dec. 7, André Vandoren, director of the antiterrorism unit OCAD, said an investigation into damage at the Doel 4 nuclear plant in August pointed to the possibility it was an act of terrorism. About 20 drones have been seen over French nuclear plants in the past few months.
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Austria
Nations Ponder How to Handle European Fighters Returning From Jihad
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Europe
European women convert, join IS
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Belgium
Security was heightened during the trial of 46 members of the terrorist group Sharia4Belgium in Antwerp on Oct. 27 after reports surfaced that defendant Fouad Belcakem was planning to escape. The trial against the terrorist group, which is suspected of sending fighters to Syria, began on Sept. 29. Only eight defendants were present; the other 38 were said to be in Syria.
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Belgium
Authorities arrested a man on blackmail charges for last week threatening a Brussels businessman with beheading if he did not come up with 50,000 euros to help jihadists traveling to Syria; the prosecutor’s office said it was unclear whether the incident was terrorism-related. Belgian fighter jets began carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on Oct. 9.
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Belgium
Europe Tries to Stop Flow of Citizens Joining Jihad
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Belgium
Belgium, Netherlands to offer fighter jets for ISIS strikes
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Belgium
5 with suspected terror ties arrested in Europe
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Belgium
A Belgian news report said authorities have foiled several terrorist attacks in Belgium and arrested a number of suspects who had returned from fighting with the Islamic State in Syria. While up to 400 Belgians are reported to have gone to Syria to join the IS, the actual number is thought to be higher, and about 90 are known to have returned. Authorities detained a jihadist group in Antwerp this summer that had acquired weapons and was planning attacks in Belgium. One of the targets being considered by jihadists was the European Union headquarters in Brussels.
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European Union
Europe needs to coordinate its anti-jihadist measures
