Posted on Mar 23, 2016
How Belgium Tried to Stop Jihadist Attacks—and Why It Wasn't Enough
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How is it in a country where they have been dealing with terrorism for thirty years that they were unable to find a link between Bakraoui and terrorism? Turkey had deported Bakraoui and handed him over to Belgium, telling them he is a "terrorist fighter" Erdogan's office confirmed that Bakraoui was deported to the Netherlands. It said he was later released by Belgian authorities as "no links with terrorism" were found.
This article talks about some of the reasons for why their intelligence and other security forces may have missed opportunities to stop the attack in Belgium as well as the Paris attacks. Some of the reasons cited are the same reasons ISIL propaganda and recruitment works so well in some areas; a weak federal government.
This article talks about some of the reasons for why their intelligence and other security forces may have missed opportunities to stop the attack in Belgium as well as the Paris attacks. Some of the reasons cited are the same reasons ISIL propaganda and recruitment works so well in some areas; a weak federal government.
How Belgium Tried to Stop Jihadist Attacks—and Why It Wasn't Enough
Posted from theatlantic.com
Europe
Terrorism
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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I read a report yesterday afternoon that stated Belgium officials had credible and fairly accurate intel of the recent attacks before they occurred. That's mind boggling and disturbing - regarding the action (or lack of) that was taken to prevent such attacks.
Sidetracking for moment - there was a story on NPR yesterday about Islamic extremist organizations and their recruiting process, and how they go after families (which is why you see brothers, and sometimes sisters and parents) for recruiting. There was a Belgian Muslim lady on there (I forgot where she was originally from) - and her husband and her notice her young 17 year old son becoming more devout, waking up early to pray (something he had never done before - and it sounded as if the family themselves didn't really follow the 5 prayers a day tenet). In the beginning, she thought it was a sign of him growing up and being mature...but then everything about him changed, including his views of the world and other religions/people. She went to the local authorities and pleaded with them to place him on a no-fly list, as she had a feeling he had been recruited, but when she tried to talk to him about it, he obviously wouldn't have a conversation with her regarding the extremism. Well after he had turned 18...he flew to Turkey...and ultimately into Syria. The authorities stated they couldn't put him on a no-fly list for no valid reason and he was 18...so legally, they couldn't stop him. Months later, she got a phone call, saying her son had been killed. She now travels Belgium and I think other European countries - speaking to Muslim families about the dangers of extremism and how to recognize the signs of someone who might be headed down that destructive path.
Sidetracking for moment - there was a story on NPR yesterday about Islamic extremist organizations and their recruiting process, and how they go after families (which is why you see brothers, and sometimes sisters and parents) for recruiting. There was a Belgian Muslim lady on there (I forgot where she was originally from) - and her husband and her notice her young 17 year old son becoming more devout, waking up early to pray (something he had never done before - and it sounded as if the family themselves didn't really follow the 5 prayers a day tenet). In the beginning, she thought it was a sign of him growing up and being mature...but then everything about him changed, including his views of the world and other religions/people. She went to the local authorities and pleaded with them to place him on a no-fly list, as she had a feeling he had been recruited, but when she tried to talk to him about it, he obviously wouldn't have a conversation with her regarding the extremism. Well after he had turned 18...he flew to Turkey...and ultimately into Syria. The authorities stated they couldn't put him on a no-fly list for no valid reason and he was 18...so legally, they couldn't stop him. Months later, she got a phone call, saying her son had been killed. She now travels Belgium and I think other European countries - speaking to Muslim families about the dangers of extremism and how to recognize the signs of someone who might be headed down that destructive path.
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