Belgium decides to enlist troops in fight against terror

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel announced on Friday a 12-point plan for combating terrorism and extremism in the country, including calling in troops to boost security.

The announcement comes after a series of raids on suspected Islamic jihadists in various locations across Belgium resulted in 13 arrests on Thursday evening. Two people were killed as part of a raid on a premise in the eastern town of Verviers.

A further 2 people were arrested in France as part of ongoing investigations.

The new set of measures to combat terrorism includes bringing in the armed forces to boost security.

Other measures include the inclusion of a new penal offence relating to travelling abroad for terrorist purposes.

There are also plans to tackle radicalism in prisons, as well as freezing the assets of those suspected of financing terrorism.

Belgium remains on high alert following the events on Thursday. Several Jewish schools in Brussels and Antwerp were closed on Friday.

In response to the situation, Belgium upgraded its terror threat level from 2 to 3 on a scale of 4.

Despite this, Charles Michel said on Friday that a specific threat to the country does not exist.

"At present, we have no knowledge of a concrete and specific threat," the Prime Minister said. "But we know that zero risk does not exist, either in Belgium or elsewhere." Enditem