The horrendous acts of terrorism that took place in Brussels on Tuesday are a reminder of just how susceptible Europe remains to attacks by the so-called Islamic State, how easy it is for a small group of terrorists to bring a major European city to a standstill and how jihadist terrorism remains a major global security threat.
Thirty-one people were killed and 300 injured, some of them critically, in a double suicide attack in the departures lounge of Brussels airport and in a bomb attack at Maalbeek metro station – in the heart of Brussels and very close to a number of European Union institutions.
The Belgian authorities have identified two of the four attackers as brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui. Brahim el-Bakraoui blew himself up in the attack at the airport while Khalid struck at Maelbeek metro. A third suicide bomber, who attacked the airport, is believed to be Najim Laachraoui, who has been linked to last year’s attacks in Paris, showing how co-ordinated these terrorist attacks are. A fourth jihadist, who was seen at the airport, is in custody, according to reports.
The attacks came soon after the arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving perpetrator of the Paris massacre last November, who has been on the run ever since. It has not yet been established whether the Brussels terrorist attacks were linked to Abdeslam’s arrest but it is believed that the latter has been co-operating with the police. It is possible that the Brussels jihadists feared Abdeslam’s capture would lead to their arrest.
The latest atrocities are yet another assault on Europe and our common beliefs of solidarity, democracy, pluralism and the rule of law. Brussels is the capital of Europe, it is the heart of the EU and also home to Nato. These attacks, as those on Paris before them, are a direct challenge to everything we believe in, to our way of life and to the values we hold dear.
The jihadists are testing Europe’s resolve to confront them. Reports say there may be hundreds more out there waiting to strike. It is important, therefore, that Europe responds in a firm but intelligent and calm manner.
The attacks are the strongest case yet for greater European co-operation in security and intelligence sharing. That’s to say nothing of the need for more co-ordination between Belgium’s regions and different police forces, who are well known for having poor lines of communication.
Europe’s border-free Schengen agreement will also have to be constantly reviewed until the situation stabilises. Furthermore, action must be taken immediately to strengthen Europe’s external borders, especially with Turkey, to prevent jihadists from Syria crossing over.
What Europe must not do, of course, is to resort to cheap populism and knee-jerk reactions that betray its values. Muslims all over the world are very often the victims of jihadist atrocities – recent attacks in Istanbul, Jakarta, Ankara and Pakistan exemplify this fact. Clamping down on Europe’s Muslim community – as some right-wing European politicians are demanding – is not only wrong but counterproductive. It risks alienating Muslims and driving them into the hands of the fanatics.
Europe also needs to have a closer look at its societies to examine why a minority of Muslims are attracted to the jihadists. Belgium in particular – which has become a breeding ground for Islamic terrorists – needs to address the problem of marginalisation among certain Muslim youths. Muslim leaders in Europe must also be constantly reminded about their duty to speak out against radicalisation.
These are immensely challenging times for Europe. The answers lie in a multi-pronged approach: going after Islamic State on their home ground, building on recent successes; stepping up security and intelligence co-operation on a European level; addressing the root causes of radicalisation, and reaffirming our beliefs in European core values.