16 Arrested in Belgian Police 'Anti-Terrorist' Operation

Reports indicate that Belgian police and security forces arrested at least 16 individuals on Sunday, November 22, during raids in several areas of Brussels and another city. It has been stated that Salah Abdeslam, who was involved in the Paris attacks, is not among those arrested. Reports suggest that on Sunday, Belgian security forces inspected at least 19 homes in Brussels and its suburbs. According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Belgian prosecutor announced late Sunday that the police operation to find suspects involved in the Paris attacks has concluded. The Mayor of Brussels also confirmed that gunfire occurred during the operation to arrest one of the suspects. According to AFP, Rick Van der Espt, spokesperson for the Belgian federal prosecutor, stated in a press conference that 16 individuals were arrested in the police operation, one of whom was injured during the arrest. The spokesperson for the federal prosecutor indicated that this individual was speeding towards police officers in his vehicle, prompting the police to shoot at him to stop the car. However, he emphasized that Salah Abdeslam is not among those arrested. The Belgian prosecutor's office stated that no weapons or explosives were found during the police searches and inspections. The spokesperson for the federal prosecutor mentioned that the court will decide on the continuation of the detention of these individuals on Monday. Following the attacks and explosions in Paris on Friday, November 13, which left at least 130 dead, and the identification of connections between some of the attackers and Brussels, security forces and police have focused their investigations on Belgium. Ibrahim Abdeslam and Bilal Hadfi, who carried out suicide attacks in Paris, lived in Belgium. Meanwhile, Salah Abdeslam, the 26-year-old brother of Ibrahim Abdeslam, traveled from the French capital to Brussels hours after the Paris attacks. Salah Abdeslam was stopped and questioned by police along the way but was subsequently released. The police have now launched a large-scale operation to find Salah Abdeslam. In this context, the Belgian Interior Minister previously stated that even if Salah Abdeslam is found, the security threats in the country will not be resolved, as 'unfortunately, the threat is broader than just this one individual.' Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Belgian Prime Minister announced that the state of emergency, particularly in Brussels, has been extended for another day. Brussels has experienced a level 4 security alert for the past two days, indicating a 'serious and immediate threat.' According to Reuters, this decision was made after a meeting of Belgian security officials on Sunday evening, reviewing the latest security situation, and as a result, the 'subway system,' 'universities,' and 'schools' in the Belgian capital will also be closed on Monday. The state of emergency in Belgium has been extended until the end of Monday, with a heavy military presence in Brussels following the heightened alert level.