No soldiers will be deployed on the streets now that the threat level has been raised to level 4 in Brussels, Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) told VRT’s De Ochtend radio programme on Tuesday.
The general threat level was raised on Monday evening from level 2 ("medium" threat) to level 3 ("serious") throughout Belgium, after a man shot three people in a terror attack in the centre of Brussels at 19:15 on Monday evening.
In the Belgian capital, the terror threat has reached the highest level (4) and is therefore considered "very serious" and "imminent".
"We have agreed not to do [deploy soldiers]," explained Verlinden. "In the case of the 2016 attacks, the decision was not taken until later. I am not ruling out any measures, but it was decided after consultation not to do so."
However, all the security forces are "on maximum alert", said Verlinden. "We have asked for a massive presence on the ground. Certain places, such as Swedish diplomatic posts, are under increased surveillance."
Belgium's Crisis Centre has ordered all security measures to be kept in place.
"We will be sending local police into our streets and neighbourhoods to protect certain potential targets," she added.
The threat level has been set at 2 out of 4 by the Coordination Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM) since January 2018. In May and June 2021, however, OCAM raised it to level 4 during the manhunt for ex-soldier Jürgen Conings.
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At around midday, the National Crisis Centre reminded the public on its website that, following the attack in Brussels on Monday evening, anyone needing professional assistance for psychosocial or psychological support can contact the Télé-Accueil service, which can be reached free of charge on 107 or by using the online chat function on tele-accueil.be.
Children and teenagers seeking advice can contact Ecoute Enfants by dialling 103 or visiting their website www.imaje-interco.be/ecoute-enfants. It is also advisable to consult your GP in order to be directed towards appropriate psychosocial assistance.
