Belgian Army Patrols City Streets

It was not a long weekend like it was in the States, but I felt the presence of the Belgian army on the streets of Brussels Jan. 17 when I saw a Light Multirole Vehicle bristling with antennas turn the corner on Rue Royale and drive past the parliament.

Belgian Defense photo

The day before, the Belgian government committed up to 300 troops to guard duty for an initial period of one month starting 7:00 AM Jan. 17. They were deployed outside government buildings and Jewish schools.

The first rotation consists of members of the 3rd Parachute and Chasseurs Ardennais battalions. They reinforce the police and are under their command.

Belgium has been on a heightened state of alert since it moved in to arrest suspected Islamic radical terrorists planning to attack the police on the evening of Jan. 15. Weapons caches, police uniforms and cash were also seized. Two suspects reported to have fought in Syria were killed during a shootout in the eastern Belgian city of Verviers.