Federal prosecutors in Belgium have announced the arrest of eight individuals following raids on suspicion of planning an attack by Islamists in the country. They reported that the target of the potential attack remains unclear and provided no comments regarding the stage of the planning for the attack. They noted in a statement that there is a connection between the cases, but further investigation will be needed to demonstrate the link between the groups. Judges will need to decide whether the eight detainees will face charges and remain in custody for an extended period.
Police conducted late-night raids on five properties in Brussels, Antwerp, and the nearby city of Ypres, close to the German border. Five men were arrested, including at least two suspected of involvement in the attack planning. In a separate investigation, police raided three additional properties in and around Brussels and arrested three more individuals on suspicion of planning an attack. Several perpetrators of the 2015 Paris attacks, which resulted in 130 deaths, were residing in Belgium. Brussels itself was the target of a double bombing at its airport and metro station in March 2016, killing 32 people.
