Title: “A tragic attack in Brussels awakens security fears in Europe”
Introduction :
On a sad day, two Swedish nationals lost their lives during a gun attack in Brussels on October 16, 2023. This attack, described as a cowardly attack by the Belgian Prime Minister, has once again highlighted light on the terrorist threats hovering over Europe. The author, a 45-year-old Tunisian claiming to be a member of the Islamic State (IS) group, was arrested and shot dead by police during his arrest. This attack raises new questions about security and the prevention of terrorist acts in Europe.
Progress of the attack:
The attack took place near downtown Brussels, hours before a football match between Belgium and Sweden at the King Baudouin stadium. The assailant, armed with an AR-15 type automatic weapon, opened fire on three Swedish supporters, killing two of them and injuring a third. He then fled on a scooter, triggering a manhunt that lasted several hours. Finally, the shooter was spotted in a café in the Brussels municipality of Schaerbeek, where he lived, and was shot dead by the police during his arrest.
The profile of the attacker:
The shooter, a 45-year-old Tunisian, was illegally staying in Belgium after being refused an asylum request in 2020. Despite an order to leave the territory which was never executed, he remained in Belgium . Reports also indicate that he had served a prison sentence in Sweden from 2012 to 2014, although details of this conviction remain unclear. These elements highlight the problems of monitoring and enforcement of decisions concerning people in an irregular situation or with a criminal past.
Claim by the Islamic State group:
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack via its Telegram channel. In a video posted online, the shooter expressed his motives and referred to the victims’ Swedish nationality as a likely reason for his action. This claim highlights the importance of propaganda and indoctrination in terrorist attacks and highlights the need to combat these extremist narratives.
Reactions and consequences:
Belgian, Swedish and European authorities strongly condemned this attack and called for strengthening prevention and security measures to protect citizens. The Belgian Prime Minister notably pleaded for better application of expulsion orders for people in an irregular and dangerous situation. The Swedish Prime Minister stressed that this attack specifically targeted Swedish citizens, and warned that the terrorist threat to Sweden and its interests was higher than ever.
Conclusion :
This tragic attack in Brussels once again highlights the need to remain vigilant in the face of terrorist threats in Europe. It highlights flaws in the tracking of dangerous individuals and raises questions about the effectiveness of measures in place to prevent such acts. Faced with this reality, it is essential to strengthen international cooperation and adopt more effective security strategies to protect citizens and prevent new attacks.