Authorities identify the strongest tie yet between Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks
Najim Laachraoui, one of the two men who blew themselves up at the Brussels airport on Tuesday, also made the suicide vests for the November Paris attacks, Belgian authorities said Friday.
Laachraoui, 24, was a Belgian citizen who went to Syria in February 2013. On Dec. 10, 2015, authorities found bomb-making equipment and fingerprints in a Brussels apartment. The fingerprints belonged to Laachraoui and Salah Abdeslam, the only known living participant of the Paris attacks. On March 18, 2016, Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels after a four-month manhunt. On March 21, Belgian authorities reportedly asked for help in finding Laachraoui, who was still at large. The next day, Laachraoui blew himself up at the Brussels airport. Laachraoui, authorities say, is a crucial link between the Paris and Brussels attacks.
In the hunt for those connected to the bombings that killed 31 people, Belgian authorities continue to raid neighborhoods around Brussels, detaining at least six suspects Thursday and three more on Friday. The investigation has also spread to Germany and France, where multiple suspects have been arrested on suspicion of ties to the Paris and Brussels bombings as well as future terrorist plots.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.
-
Why are people microdosing Ozempic?
In The Spotlight Tiny doses of the weight-loss drug can sidestep its unpleasant side effects, say influencers. But is customising the dose a good idea?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Five festive cocktails for Christmas 2024
The Week Recommends Serve seasonal libations for an extra special gathering
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Octopuses could be the next big species after humans
UNDER THE RADAR What has eight arms, a beaked mouth, and is poised to take over the planet when we're all gone?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published