U.S. officials have stated that the two brothers responsible for the Brussels terrorist attacks were on the United States' watchlist. Reuters reported on Thursday, April 5, citing two security officials familiar with the matter, that Khalid and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui were on U.S. government terrorist watchlists. The Bakraoui brothers were responsible for two suicide bombings in the Brussels metro and airport on Tuesday, which resulted in the deaths of over 30 people and injuries to around 200 others. Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had stated that Turkey had detained one of the attackers and handed him over to Belgium, warning that he was a 'dangerous terrorist suspect,' but Belgium released him because it could not 'detect his connection to terrorism.' The inability of Belgian security agencies to address the recent terrorist operations has sparked significant criticism against the Belgian government. Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has rejected calls for the resignation of the interior and justice ministers. Belgium has also lowered its security alert level. Despite this, a large search operation is underway to find Najm al-Ashrawi, who is believed to be the third suspect in Tuesday's terrorist operation. His brother, Mourad al-Ashrawi, a Belgian taekwondo champion, has condemned the actions of his older brother in a statement. In this context, ISIS has called for increased terrorist operations by its supporters.
Two Brothers Behind Brussels Attacks Were on U.S. Watchlist
Two brothers involved in the Brussels attacks were previously on a U.S. watchlist, raising questions about security failures. The attacks resulted in significant casualties and have led to criticism of Belgian authorities. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about terrorism in Europe and the effectiveness of security measures.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Brussels attacks, carried out by the el-Bakraoui brothers, resulted in over 30 deaths and 200 injuries. They were previously on a U.S. watchlist, raising concerns about security failures in Belgium.
- The attacks included two suicide bombings in the Brussels metro and airport.
- Belgium released a suspect previously detained by Turkey due to lack of evidence.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Terrorism in Europe has been a growing concern, particularly with the rise of ISIS and its calls for attacks. The effectiveness of security agencies is often questioned in the wake of such incidents.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%