Belgium foils Jihadist plot to kill prime minister and other politicians in drone attack

Belgium claims it has foiled a Jihadist plot to kill the prime minister and other politicians with a drone attack. Three young suspects have been arrested in connection with what prosecutors described as a "jihadist-inspired terrorist attack" that also targeted Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

Bomb components had allegedly been created with a 3D printer, and investigators are looking into evidence that suggested a drone would be used to deploy them. Investigators said they found an inactive mechanism which resembled an improvised explosive device, and a bag of steel balls during raids in Deurne, Antwerp, according to the prosecuting office. Bomb squads and federal police units carried out four house searches.

Federal prosecutor Ann Fransen added that the three suspects, who were born in 2001, 2002 and 2007, were detained in Antwerp on Thursday morning on suspicion of attempted terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group, reports Politico.

"This file shows that all security services must remain vigilant against the risk of terrorist attacks," warned Fransen.

One of the three suspects has been released, although two remain in custody and will appear before an investigating judge.

De Wever, who leads the Flemish nationalist party New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), is believed to have been an intended target, reports the Gazet van Antwerpen newspaper.

A Belgian MEP said they were "shocked" by the suspected assassination attempt. Yvan Verougstraete wrote: "Total support for the targeted individuals, including, it seems, our Prime Minister Bart De Wever."

Lucas Webber, a senior threat intelligence analyst at Tech Against Terrorism, stated 3D printing could present a "significant challenge" for European security, and potentially have a "devastating impact".

He said: "The dissemination of manuals detailing the use of drones and 3D-printing technologies in jihadist online spaces represents a significant challenge for European security.

"These platforms, spanning social media, messaging apps, and archiving websites, facilitate the rapid spread of sophisticated operational knowledge to a broad audience.

"This access empowers lone actors and small cells to adopt technology-driven tactics with potentially devastating impact."

He said this means security frameworks "must evolve" in European nations to address these "digital channels of radicalization and training".

Mr Webber, who is also a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, added that enhanced monitoring of these online communities is "essential".

He noted the importance of international collaboration to disrupt the distribution of such material, and ultimately remove terrorist content.

"Proactively addressing this threat is crucial to preventative security measures against technology-enhanced terror activities," he said.