12 Arrested in Belgium on Suspicion of Planning Terrorist Attacks

Belgian police have arrested 12 individuals on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks after raiding dozens of homes and buildings across the country. The Associated Press reported that on the morning of Saturday, June 18, anti-terror forces stormed 16 locations throughout the country, with most of the raids occurring in and around Brussels, the capital of Belgium. However, despite questioning 40 individuals and arresting 12, no explosives or weapons were discovered during the anti-terror operation. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel emphasized that the country will remain at 'maximum vigilance.' Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon also stated that the security alert level will remain at its highest. Additionally, Reuters reported that a 22-year-old man arrested earlier last week has been accused of planning terrorist attacks against tourists. Belgian police received a warning on Wednesday indicating that a group of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters had recently left Syria and were heading to Europe, with the intent to carry out attacks in France and Belgium. On Friday, police arrested a 30-year-old man named Youssef E. in connection with recent terrorist attacks in Brussels. Several explosions occurred at the airport and metro in the Belgian capital in April of this year, resulting in numerous casualties. These incidents were the largest terrorist attacks in Belgium's history, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility. Concerns in France regarding attacks on 'soft targets' during the European Championship have been raised, alongside a warning from the United States about the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. The Belgian prosecution has charged two individuals and arrested three others, while a court in Belgium released a suspect linked to the Brussels bombings. Several suspects have been detained in anti-terror operations by Belgian police.