Terrorism: alert rises in Belgium, 100 more threats recorded in 2023 than the year before

Brussels – There were 332 reports of potential threats related to terrorism or extremism in Belgium last year, up from 236 the year before, a 41 percent increase, according to data released Friday by the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA).

According to CUTA, the increase is mainly due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the attack in Brussels on Oct. 16. Since that event, in which a man shot dead two Swedish soccer fans, the overall terrorist threat level has risen from 2 to 3 on a scale of 4.

Level 3

Level 1 indicates a low threat, and level 2 is a medium threat. Belgium has been at level 3 for several months, which means a serious threat. Moving to level 4 would indicate a very serious threat. Based on this analysis, visible and less visible preventive and protective measures are in place to protect the population, key individuals, and institutions, the Belga news agency explained. Most threats occurred by phone, email, or anonymously. The previous year, threats were generally through social networks and messaging applications, the organization said. About 55 percent of the reports were classified as low threats. Just over one-third were classified as medium, about 7 percent serious, and only one very serious and imminent: the October 16, 2023 attack.

Brussels area

Like in 2022, most threat reports were in the Brussels area, followed by Antwerp, Liège, Ghent, and Mons. Most threats came from individuals who intended to act alone. More than 40 percent of threats were related to Islamic extremism.

Threats from abroad, particularly from regimes targeting Belgian political opponents, accounted for about 6 percent of cases. Right-wing extremism was responsible for 5 percent. Targets varied by ideology, often targeting specific individuals, security services, political authorities, or public buildings.