Military intervention against drug cartels in Belgium
In response to a surge in drug-related violence, the Belgian government has announced plans to deploy soldiers in several cities, including Brussels and Antwerp. This decision comes after a wave of shootings in recent months, with a total of 57 shootings this year, including 20 during the summer months.
The political decision to deploy soldiers has already been made, but the details are still being worked out. According to Defense Minister Theo Francken, "Our capital Brussels is a disaster in terms of security. We must regain control."
Minister Bernard Quintin, the Belgian Interior Minister, has proposed this measure to support the police and restore public safety due to increasing shootings between drug gangs. He warns that the attitude of drug dealers is becoming increasingly bold, with some operating with such audacity that they could theoretically sit undisturbed to conduct their activities.
The escalating violence has put innocent citizens at risk. Both Minister Quintin and Brussels prosecutor Julien Moinil have expressed concern about the potential for innocent citizens to be drawn into the violence and hit by stray bullets. Moinil has demanded a total of 10 million euros in investment for improving security in Brussels.
The soldiers will patrol in mixed teams with the police, focusing on subway stations and certain neighborhoods, such as Peterbos in the Anderlecht municipality in southwestern Brussels. The deployments will focus on areas where shootings have been most prevalent, such as certain neighborhoods in Brussels.
Besides Brussels, the Belgian city of Antwerp is also planned for troop deployment to combat drug-related crime, following a situation in 2022 involving then-Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, who had to hide with his family at an unknown location due to drug gangs planning to kidnap him.
The army's role, according to Minister Quintin, is to defend the integrity of the state territory, including fighting drug crime. The legal framework for the deployment of soldiers is already in place, and the draft will be submitted to the Council of Ministers shortly.
This decision has been met with concern by some, who question the appropriateness of using the military to combat domestic crime. However, with the increasing violence and the apparent inability of the police to control the situation, the government believes that this drastic measure is necessary to restore peace and safety in the affected cities.
