Increased Security Measures Ahead of New Year; Several Arrests in Belgium and the U.S.

As many Western countries ramp up security measures ahead of New Year's celebrations due to concerns over 'terrorist' attacks, security forces have arrested six individuals in Belgium and one in the United States in connection with this issue. According to Reuters, soldiers and security forces have a significant presence on the streets of Paris on New Year's Eve, and the number of police in Berlin has also increased. Meanwhile, due to the cancellation of celebrations, Red Square in Moscow is silent. In New York City, nearly one million people are expected to attend New Year's celebrations in Times Square, with six thousand police officers responsible for security. Security forces are tasked with directing and managing participants in Times Square, where attendees will be screened with weapon detection devices. In France, 60,000 police and military personnel are responsible for security on New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve celebration on the Champs-Élysées in Paris has been limited to light displays, and there will be no fireworks this year, which are typically part of the celebrations. In Belgium, security forces arrested six individuals on Thursday during house-to-house inspections in Brussels on suspicion of planning a 'terrorist operation.' Two others were arrested earlier in the week, leading officials to cancel the fireworks and New Year's celebrations in Brussels. Ivan Mayeur, the mayor of Brussels, stated that last year over 100,000 people gathered for the New Year's celebration in the capital, but this year there was no guarantee of controlling all attendees. Similarly, Russian officials had previously announced the cancellation of New Year's celebrations in Red Square due to concerns over potential attacks. In the U.S., according to the Washington Post, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of 25-year-old Emmanuel Lutchman for allegedly planning an attack on a restaurant in Rochester, New York, on New Year's Eve. Reports indicate that Lutchman had coordinated with Islamic State (ISIS) forces in Syria and had pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi prior to the operation. The U.S. Department of Justice states that this newly converted Muslim intended to attack the restaurant with a knife and machete. Additionally, on Thursday, AFP reported that Turkish police arrested two suspects in connection with a bombing in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, coinciding with the New Year celebrations.