2015 Brussels lockdown

Belgium government lockdown due to terrorism November 2020 2015 Brussels lockdown File:Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium.svg Location of Brussels within Belgium the aftermath of the November 2015 Paris attacks Lockdown Brussels, Belgium Prevention of an imminent Paris-style attack and capture of fugitive Salah Abdeslam 21–25 November 2015 From 21 to 25 November 2015, the government of Belgium imposed a security lockdown on Brussels, including the closure of shops, schools, public transportation, due to information about potential terrorist attacks in the wake of the series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on 13 November.Brussels in lockdown after terror threat level is raised to maximum https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/21/brussels-locked-down-after-terror-threat-level-raised-to-maximum The Guardian 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151121164054/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/21/brussels-locked-down-after-terror-threat-level-raised-to-maximum live Brussels shutdown as manhunt for Paris fugitive Abdeslam continues https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34892680 BBC News 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151121235309/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34892680 live Paris attacks: Brussels on high alert https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-34889312 BBC News 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 22 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160322204122/http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-34889312 live Higgins Andrew de Freytas-Tamura Kimiko Brussels Placed at Highest Alert Level; Subway Is Closed https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/world/europe/brussels-placed-at-highest-alert-level-subway-is-closed.html The New York Times 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151121134334/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/world/europe/brussels-placed-at-highest-alert-level-subway-is-closed.html live Jamieson Alastair Winter Tom Akyavas Aziz Lavanga Claudio Brussels on Terror Lockdown Amid Threat of Paris-Style Attack http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/belgium-raises-threat-level-brussels-highest-possible-level-n467431 NBC News 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 21 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151121030526/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/belgium-raises-threat-level-brussels-highest-possible-level-n467431 live One of the perpetrators of the attack, Belgian-born French national Salah Abdeslam, was thought to be hiding in the city. As a result of warnings of a serious and imminent threat, the terror alert level was raised to the highest level (four)Lasoen Kenneth Indications and warning in Brussels. Brussels is not Delphi Journal of Strategic Studies 2017 40 10.1080/01402390.2017.1288111 157685300 across the Brussels metropolitan area, and people were advised not to congregate publicly, effectively putting the city under lockdown. Impact On the first day of the lockdown, Haaretz described, "an atmosphere of war. Army convoys passed through the streets. Armored cars were posted at central points, outside the royal palace, and at underground railway stations."Papirblat Shlomo Terror Alert Turns Brussels Into a Dead City on War Footing https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/2015-11-21/ty-article/.premium/in-brussels-snow-begins-to-fall-in-a-city-on-war-footing/0000017f-e3c1-d38f-a57f-e7d331120000 23 November 2015 Haaretz 21 November 2015 23 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151123042807/http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/.premium-1.687516 live Police requested a social media blackout to prevent disclosure of police operations. Twitter users responded with cat pictureshttps://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/24/world/europe/twitter-cats-to-the-rescue-in-brussels-lockdown.html Twitter Cats to the Rescue in Brussels Lockdown The New York Times Katie Rogers 23 November 2015 25 November 2015 24 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124233253/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/24/world/europe/twitter-cats-to-the-rescue-in-brussels-lockdown.html live (a reference to security level Four, or in French, quatre pronounced cat).https://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/brussels-lockdown-arrests-made-shots-fired-in-salah-abdeslam-hunt.html Brussels lockdown: Highest alert level maintained Phillip Tutt Jacob Pramuk CNBC 23 November 2015 25 November 2015 24 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124235416/http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/brussels-lockdown-arrests-made-shots-fired-in-salah-abdeslam-hunt.html live On 23 November, the third day of the lockdown, all schools and universities remained closed along with the Metro. Prime Minister Charles Michel announced that the lockdown measures would stay in place, "for at least another week. But schools and the metro can be reopened gradually from Wednesday." Burke Jason Brussels to stay in lockdown 'for at least another week' https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/belgian-authorities-charge-fourth-suspect-terrorism-offences 23 November 2015 The Guardian 23 November 2015Höchste Terrorwarnstufe in Brüssel verlängert https://web.archive.org/web/20151124021550/http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2015-11/belgien-bruessel-terror-gefahr-warnstufe-verlaengerung 24 November 2015 , zeit, 23 November 2015Brussels lockdown: How is city affected by terror threat? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34900353 24 November 2015 BBC 24 November 2015 23 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151123232843/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34900353 live The lockdown caused disruption to major institutions and organizations headquartered in the city, such as NATO, which removed all non-essential personnel on 23 November, and the European Union, which opened on Monday with reinforced security measures. Belgium's biggest bank KBC Bank entirely closed its headquarters on Monday. Brussels Extends Lockdown as U.S. Issues Terror Alert https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-23/brussels-lockdown-stays-as-terror-alert-gets-one-week-extension Bloomberg.com 23 November 2015 24 November 2015 Ian Wishart John Martens Doyle Dara 24 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124161013/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-23/brussels-lockdown-stays-as-terror-alert-gets-one-week-extension live As the lockdown continued into its third day, the BBC described the city as having "come to a standstill." After 5 days, the lockdown was lifted on 25 November, schools reopened and the metro resumed serviceEscritt Thomas Brussels lockdown ends but manhunt goes on http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-belgium-idUKKBN0TE26K20151126 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208205917/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-shooting-belgium-idUKKBN0TE26K20151126 dead 8 December 2015 29 November 2015 Reuters 26 November 2015 but some stores remained closed.Krysia Lenzo https://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/24/brussels-lockdown-drags-on-and-businesses-suffer.html Brussels eases lockdown, but businesses are still suffering Cnbc.com 25 November 2015 16 September 2020 Like Paris, which saw a drop in tourism, Brussels saw an immediate drop in visitors and an increase in last minute hotel cancellations. Some shops, cafes and hotels that remained open reported 90% to 100% drop in business.MARIA CHENG The Associated Press http://www.sltrib.com/home/3222526-155/brussels-security-lockdown-hits-businesses Brussels security lockdown hits businesses | The Salt Lake Tribune Sltrib.com 19 March 2016 2 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160402233519/http://www.sltrib.com/home/3222526-155/brussels-security-lockdown-hits-businesses live Costs The lockdown is estimated to have cost €51.7 million per day, counting both the outlay on security and lost business income.Cerulus Laurens The cost of the Brussels lockdown: €51.7 million a day http://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-lockdown-financial-damage-52-million-vrt-terrorism-business/ 2 December 2015 Politico 30 November 2015 8 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151208231404/http://www.politico.eu/article/brussels-lockdown-financial-damage-52-million-vrt-terrorism-business/ live Belgium is also facing a demand from the police for a budgetary increment of €100 million to cover ongoing increases in costs due to the terrorism threat. The total cost was estimated at €350 million, and tourist numbers in December 2015 were down 20% on the previous December.Rankin Jennifer Safe to talk? Brussels invites foreigners to call city and chat to locals https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/09/call-brussels-foreigners-invited-to-speak-to-locals-safety-fears-terrorism-belgium 29 March 2016 The Guardian 9 January 2016 In January, in order to restore the city's reputation after the lockdown, Visit Brussels launched an initiative Call Brussels in which members of the public could call public telephones in the city via their computer. Arrests and charges thumb|Salah Abdeslam (L) and Hamza Attou (R) captured on CCTV at a French petrol station hours after the attacks. A reported 1,000 police officers were involved in the search for Salah Abdeslam.http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/brussels-lockdown-1-000-cops-hunt-paris-suspect-salah-abdeslam-n468011 Brussels Lockdown: 1,000 Cops Hunt Paris Suspect Salah Abdeslam Kiko Itasaka NBC News 23 November 2015 24 November 2015 24 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124103230/http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-terror-attacks/brussels-lockdown-1-000-cops-hunt-paris-suspect-salah-abdeslam-n468011 live Over the weekend police conducted at least 20 raids around the city and nearby areas, making 16 arrests but releasing 15 of these people. Brussels lockdown: Highest alert level maintained https://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/brussels-lockdown-arrests-made-shots-fired-in-salah-abdeslam-hunt.html CNBC 22 November 2015 24 November 2015 Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said 23 November that a man had been charged with involvement in the Paris terrorist attacks and for membership of a terrorist organization. Suicide Vest Is New Clue in Terror Manhunt as Brussels Extends Lockdown https://www.wsj.com/articles/brussels-on-edge-as-lockdown-continues-1448280916 Wall Street Journal 24 November 2015 0099-9660 Natalia Drozdiak Gabriele Steinhauser Valentina Pop in Brussels Noemie Bisserbe in Paris 24 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124024520/http://www.wsj.com/articles/brussels-on-edge-as-lockdown-continues-1448280916 live On Monday 21 more arrests were made, with 17 released. On 24 November, evening prosecutors announced terrorism charges had been filed against four men: Hamza Attou and Mohammed Amri. Lawyers for these two men said they had admitted driving Salah Abdeslam from Paris to Brussels after the Paris attacks but said they had nothing to do with the attacks. "Ali O.", a 31-year-old French national who lived in Molenbeek neighborhood of Brussels. "Lazez A.", a 39-year-old Moroccan also from Molenbeek arrested on 19 November. Two pistols and traces of blood were found in his car.https://www.wsj.com/articles/brussels-lockdown-enters-fourth-day-1448370188 Manhunt Expands to Include New Suspected Accomplice in Paris Attacks The Wall Street Journal Valentina Pop Tom Fairless 24 November 2015 25 November 2015 Aftermath King Philippe of Belgium addressed the Brussels lockdown and Paris attack in his annual Christmas Address. He said during his speech, "My special thanks go to all those who have fought for it and continue to work to ensure our safety, to identify the perpetrators of these attacks and to prevent new ones. These events have shown how important it is to invest in the judiciary, police, army and intelligence services. I also want to thank you all, and especially the people of Brussels, for your dignified and responsible behavior during this difficult time."King Philippe of Belgium's Christmas Eve Speech – English Translation http://gertsroyals.blogspot.com/2015/12/king-philippe-of-belgiums-christmas-eve.html Gert's Royals 24 December 2015 22 November 2016 15 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160915233102/http://gertsroyals.blogspot.com/2015/12/king-philippe-of-belgiums-christmas-eve.html live Precedents Extended lockdowns of entire urban areas because of terrorism have been rare; the European Union called the Brussels lockdown "unprecedented". European press responds to 'unprecedented' Brussels events BBC News 23 November 2015 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34900252 24 November 2015 en-GB 24 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151124043614/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34900252 live The extent of the lockdown went well beyond measures taken the last time Belgium declared a level four alert in 2007. Brussels deserted as terrorist manhunt widens https://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/belgium-maintains-maximum-security-alert-status-for-brussels.html CNBC 22 November 2015 24 November 2015 23 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151123160924/http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/belgium-maintains-maximum-security-alert-status-for-brussels.html live One previous example of a citywide lockdown was the one-day lockdown of Boston in April 2013 as police hunted for the Islamist terrorists responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing.http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/04/boston-lockdown-residents-are-asked-shelter-place-while-cops-sweep-watertown/64383/ This Is What It Looks Like When the Police Shut Down a City The Atlantic Wire 19 April 2013 1 June 2013 2 June 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130602034706/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/04/boston-lockdown-residents-are-asked-shelter-place-while-cops-sweep-watertown/64383/ deadhttps://nation.time.com/2013/04/19/a-town-under-seige-watertown-residents-describe-life-under-lockdown/ A Town Under Siege: Watertown Residents Describe Life Under Lockdown Time 19 April 2013 1 June 2013 26 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130426095206/http://nation.time.com/2013/04/19/a-town-under-seige-watertown-residents-describe-life-under-lockdown/ livehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/19/boston-lockdown-police-hunt-bombing-suspect Boston faces lockdown as police hunt for marathon bombing suspect The Guardian 19 April 2013 19 April 2013 See also Cities January 2015 anti-terrorism operations in Belgium 2015 Saint-Denis raid 2016 Brussels bombings Brussels ISIL terror cell References Lockdown Category:City lockdowns Category:Counterterrorism in Belgium Category:Islamic State and Belgium Category:Law enforcement operations against Islamist groups Category:2010s manhunts Category:November 2015 Paris attacks