Brussels Closed Second Day; Spain and UK Consider Joining Fight Against ISIS; Creating Enemies When None Exist

November 22, 2015

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Courtesy of Mish.

Belgium Terrorist Manhunt Continues

Following Saturday's imminent attack alert in which Belgium shops were closed and sporting events cancelled, Brussels Remains on Terror Shutdown

Brussels remained in lockdown for a second day on Sunday as Paris sought to spearhead an international response to retaliate against Isis in the wake of the attacks that killed 130 in the French capital.

Belgium raised its terror alert in Brussels to the maximum on Saturday, cancelling major sports events and concerts. Many big shops, museums and restaurants were also closed, after Charles Michel, prime minister, said there was an imminent risk that a group of jihadis was preparing simultaneous attacks with guns and explosives.

Public fears centre on Mr Abdeslam, who was driven back to Brussels immediately after the Paris attacks.

Some of Mr Abdeslam’s friends, who had spoken to him via phone since then, told the US broadcaster ABC that he felt trapped between French and Belgian authorities on one side and Islamic State, known as Isis, on the other, which was angry that he had not detonated his belt in the Paris attack.

Koen Geens, the justice minister, said that the hunt for suspects was continuing, and stressed that he knew the identities of at least some of the jihadis being sought. He said that Belgium would re-evaluate the risks on Sunday afternoon, but added that the metro was likely to resume services on Monday.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, French defence minister, on Sunday saluted signs that France was no longer isolated in Europe in the fight against Islamist terrorism.

Spain is considering sending troops to Africa to relieve French soldiers deployed to contain the threat of jihadis in Mali and across the Sahel desert, Mr Le Drian said. “Some are considering to bomb Daesh (Isis), I know the UK is, but there are others. Some are willing to provide logistical support, in the form of a tactical carrier aircraft or a helicopter.” Belgium and the UK have deployed a military ship in the eastern Mediterranean, he added.

Le Drian also pointed that Russia had shifted position in Syria, following the bombing by Isis of a Russian passenger jet over the Sinai. “They are bombing Raqqa,” he said.

He acknowledged however that troops on the ground would have to be sent to eradicate Isis. “A victory, the destruction of Isis requires troops on the ground,” he said. “Not necessarily French.”