Belgium detains 13 suspected terrorists in night of a dozen raids
Thursday night's intense gunfight between Belgian police and two suspected terrorists — killed in the shootout — was just the beginning. In a dozen raids across the country, Belgian police arrested 13 people believed to be part of the same terrorist cell. Eric Van Der Sypt, a spokesman for Belgian proesecutors, said that the weeks-long investigation "has shown that these people had the intention to kill several policemen in the street and at police commissariats," or police stations. "The operation was meant to dismantle a terrorist cell," he added, "but also the logistics network behind it."
Beligan police reportedly found guns, explosives, and police uniforms in the apartment of the two men killed in the town of Verviers. Beligum's investigation started before the Paris attacks, and there is no known link between the blogs, Van Der Sypt said. He added that Beligum would seek to extradite two other suspects detained in France but tied to the Beligan cell. France and Germany also arrested more than a dozen suspected terrorists in overnight raids.
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
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