Explosions hit Brussels airport and metro

[Astronuc]

Explosions hit Brussels airport, several killed: Belgian media
http://news.yahoo.com/belgian-media-explosions-brussels-airport-several-injured-072952033.html
By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Explosions tore through the departure hall of Brussels airport on Tuesday morning killing up to 10 people and injuring 30 others and a second blast struck a metro station in the capital shortly afterwards, the Belgian public broadcaster RTBF said.

Brussels Zaventem airport and metro hit by blasts
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35869254

Apparent coordinated attacks (to be verified)

Update: Apparently 31 dead, over 100 injured.!
http://news.yahoo.com/live-blog--deadly-bombings-rock-brussels-airport--subway-113702365.html

 

[Borg]

Unfortunately it never ends.

 

[DrClaude]

Not again

 

[cpscdave]

Deplorable. There is never an excuse for the intentional targeting of civilians.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Very saddened when I opened the news. Not sure what the solution is here. It's just too easy to terrorize right now.

 

[HossamCFD]

Ver sad news. The frequency of the attacks is becoming unbearable. My thoughts go to the victims and their families and loved ones.

I just saw on the BBC news live update that ISIS has claimed responsibility.
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-35869266

 

[Astronuc]

Ver sad news. The frequency of the attacks is becoming unbearable. My thoughts go to the victims and their families and loved ones.

I just saw on the BBC news live update that ISIS has claimed responsibility.
http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-35869266

Yes - Daesh state claims responsibility for Brussels blasts: Daesh-affiliated news agency
http://news.yahoo.com/islamic-state...russels-blasts-isis-affiliated-152938017.html

"Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels," AMAQ agency said.

Witnesses describe blood, dust and chaos in Brussels attacks
http://news.yahoo.com/witnesses-describe-blood-dust-chaos-brussels-attacks-133659037.html

 

[mheslep]

From The Small Wars Journal

The United States (U.S.) is currently seeking a solution to the problem ‘ad-Dawlah al-Islamiyah fi ‘I-‘Iraq
wa-sh-Sham’ (Daesh; aka ISIS, ISIL, the Islamic State) poses to U.S. security, its allies, and civilization in
general. The answer: recognize and support the state of ‘Kurdistan’. Pick a winner, Kurdistan, and a
loser, Daesh, and give war a chance...

Why Kurdistan?
As political commentator David Webb noted, “If we [the U.S.] take out ISIS, we have Assad. If we take
out Assad, we have ISIS. If we take out both, we have a vacuum.”[3] It’s clear from U.S. leaders, whether
they be executive, congressional, or presidential hopefuls, that U.S. troops on the ground are not the
solution the U.S. is seeking.
...

Author:

Joshua A. Perkins is an Armor officer serving with the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armor Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, Colorado. He earned his master’s degree in political science, with a specialization in national security and diplomacy, from the University of West Florida.

http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/kurdistan-the-permanent-solution-to-daesh

 

[StevieTNZ]

Woke up this morning and see this as the breaking headline on yahoo.co.nz. So so sad. :*(

@micromass, are you okay?

 

[micromass]

@micromass, are you okay?

Don't worry. If anything, I hope this doesn't mean that we will single out any single religion or culture as cause for terrorism. We need to keep smiling and remain tolerant and loving towards out neighbour.

 

[gfd43tg]

Don't worry. If anything, I hope this doesn't mean that we will single out any single religion or culture as cause for terrorism. We need to keep smiling and remain tolerant and loving towards out neighbour.

How many more attacks would change your opinion on this?

 

[micromass]

How many more attacks would change your opinion on this?

Considering that my best friends and family are muslims, I don't see how it ever could.

 

[HossamCFD]

Belgian media named two of the suicide bombers as brothers Khalid and Brahim el-Bakraoui, both were known to the authorities and had a criminal record. They appear to be Belgian citizens, though the names suggest to me a north African origin (Brahim instead of Ibrahim).
A third suspect (the bloke with the hat in the airport photo) was named as Najim Laachraoui and is believed to have been arrested today.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35879141

 

[HossamCFD]

A third suspect (the bloke with the hat in the airport photo) was named as Najim Laachraoui and is believed to have been arrested today.

Apparently the third suspect is still on the run and has not been identified. Earlier reports were denied. He had the biggest bomb but it didn't explode.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Let's keep discussion on the event please. Further religious tangents will be cleaned up @Sophia @nikkkom @micromass @cpscdave

 

[micromass]

The last will of one of the suspects - Ibrahim Al Bakraoui - has been found. In it, he states "not knowing what to do", "wanted everywhere", "not safe anymore", "we risk ending in a cell". From this it definitely seems the terrorists were panicking due to the arrest of Salah Abdeslam and quickly did the attacks. If they waited, more victims would probably have fallen.

 

[cpscdave]

From this it definitely seems the terrorists were panicking due to the arrest of Salah Abdeslam and quickly did the attacks. If they waited, more victims would probably have fallen.

If this is the case, it's probably a bit more scary actually. If they cause this much chaos with little planning...

 

[micromass]

If this is the case, it's probably a bit more scary actually. If they cause this much chaos with little planning...

I think they obviously planned this beforehand. But definitely not at this date, and they were in a rush. For example, it has been known that they couldn't bring all the explosives since the taxi was too small.

There have been many press leaks the previous days. I think many of those definitely speed up the process. People should learn to keep silent, and perhaps the press shouldn't report everything they hear...

 

[256bits]

People should learn to keep silent, and perhaps the press shouldn't report everything they hear...

Generally that is difficult to put into practise and follow the values of a democratic society, where freedom of the press is one of its pillars. Censorship, even self censorship, would be frowned upon as it butts up against right of people to know. If one of the outcomes as a response to terrorism is to pursue a course of limited information to the public, prior to an event, during an event, and after an event, then that becomes problematic ( but perhaps managable ). Trouble is, no one can ever predict with certitude the happening of event, or if it ever will, if from one event to another there are direct, strong or weak cause and effect relationships.

There are arguments and counter arguments for the "knowing" and the "not-knowing". Balancing the two on a shifting uneven scale is the difficulty.

 

[micromass]

Generally that is difficult to put into practise and follow the values of a democratic society, where freedom of the press is one of its pillars. Censorship, even self censorship, would be frowned upon as it butts up against right of people to know. If one of the outcomes as a response to terrorism is to pursue a course of limited information to the public, prior to an event, during an event, and after an event, then that becomes problematic ( but perhaps managable ). Trouble is, no one can ever predict with certitude the happening of event, or if it ever will, if from one event to another there are direct, strong or weak cause and effect relationships.

There are arguments and counter arguments for the "knowing" and the "not-knowing". Balancing the two on a shifting uneven scale is the difficulty.

I'm all for freedom of press. Freedom of press should never be infringed upon. But the press itself needs to realize that sometimes things they publish have very real repercussions and could cost other people's lifes. It's a delicate balance, I know. But sometimes government secrecy is there for a reason. And the journalists should choose not to publish even though they might have the right.
I know, I'm just posting problems. I'm not proposing any answers since I don't know any.

 

[256bits]

I'm all for freedom of press. Freedom of press should never be infringed upon. But the press itself needs to realize that sometimes things they publish have very real repercussions and could cost other people's lifes. It's a delicate balance, I know. But sometimes government secrecy is there for a reason. And the journalists should choose not to publish even though they might have the right.
I know, I'm just posting problems. I'm not proposing any answers since I don't know any.

Neither do I since it is complex, but I am sure all options are on the table. Although this is a little bit off topic from the actual event in Brussels, it is interesting to see how it does play out and the effect it does have in this area in the pursuit of information just for the sake of information.

I don't think you are actually talking strictly about freedom of the press ( which I did mention ), but dissemination of pertinent information. Freedom of the press is more a non-restrictive movement, asking the questions, and ability to publish. Obtaining answers is another issue.

( As a gross and quirky argument to turn it on its head, what if an edict was issued to never publish any terrorism event. And that all people in the information industry agreed. With no knowledge of any terrorism activity, people would go about their business as happily as can be ( except locally where an event did occur ). Would the terrorists become confounded that their activities are not striking fear in the general population, become disgusted that we are not playing their game correctly, forfit, and just then pack up and go home? Maybe one of the demands would become "Freedom of the press" or we will blow up the XXX. )
Like I said, a bit quirky.

 

[micromass]

I don't think you are actually talking strictly about freedom of the press ( which I did mention ), but dissemination of pertinent information. Freedom of the press is more a non-restrictive movement, asking the questions, and ability to publish. Obtaining answers is another issue.

No, I get that. But the situation was that a known terrorist Salah Abdeslam was arrested and interrogated. The results of this interrogation are supposed to stay secret until the trial. Now there were certain leaks and some information was spilt. The press (and other involved people) happily took this information and spread it further. I think in this instance, the press should have been more discrete with this information.

 

[micromass]

Also, apparently the attacks were planned for Easter monday. This might mean there are other terrorist cells planning something for this day...

 

[mheslep]

... I'm not proposing any answers since I don't know any.

The group sponsoring the attack identified itself, ISIL. The general location and size of ISIL is known. Do you find military action against ISIL unacceptable?

 

[Astronuc]

http://finance.yahoo.com/video/police-capture-main-suspect-brussels-103525393.html

March 23 -- One day after three deadly bombings in Brussels, police have captured Najim Laachraoui, the main suspect in the attacks that claimed at least 35 lives. Bloomberg's Ryan Chilcote reports on "Bloomberg Surveillance."

 

[Samy_A]

http://finance.yahoo.com/video/police-capture-main-suspect-brussels-103525393.html

This media report appeared to be wrong.
Najim Laachraoui is now believed to be the second terrorist that blew himself up at the airport.
The man in the white coat has not yet been (officially) identified or captured.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...likely-terror-suspects-behind-the-attack.html

 

[Astronuc]

It is unfortunate that Bloomberg may have reported incorrectly.

AFP reports:

A huge manhunt is already under way for a third attacker at Brussels airport, who was seen on security footage with Ibrahim El Bakraoui and a man identified as Najim Laachraoui, but whose bomb did not go off.

http://news.yahoo.com/second-brusse...tified-najim-laachraoui-police-182747301.html

It appears that Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui were successful, and apparently Najim Laachraoui was too, but there is a fourth suspect involved for whom police are searching.

 

[1oldman2]

From The Small Wars Journal

This is the most sensible piece I have read yet on the ISIS problem, Thanks for linking it.

 

[Astronuc]

http://news.yahoo.com/brussels-attacks-suspect-charged-terrorist-murder-prosecutor-002333819.html
Belgium charges attacks suspect, . . . .

Brussels (AFP) - Belgium on Saturday charged a suspect thought to be the fugitive third Brussels airport bomber with terrorist murder, . . .

Brussels airport suspect Najim Laachraoui arrested: Belgian media (March 23, 2016)
http://news.yahoo.com/brussels-airp...chraoui-arrested-belgian-media-104400309.html

But Laachraoui has also been reported as one of the suicide bombers. He can't be a successful suicide bomber and be arrested afterwards. Perhaps he was unsuccessful?

Italy arrests Algerian suspect wanted by Belgium in terror probe: reports
http://news.yahoo.com/italy-arrests-algerian-suspect-wanted-belgium-terror-probe-223826084.html

Rome (AFP) - An Algerian national wanted by Belgium over a probe into fake ID documents used by the Paris and Brussels attackers was arrested in Italy on Saturday, local media reported, citing police sources.

The suspect, named as Djamal Eddine Ouali, 40, was detained under a European arrest warrant in the southern region of Salerno, the reports said.

 

[Astronuc]

Brussels attack victims came from Belgium and around world
http://news.yahoo.com/brussels-attack-victims-came-belgium-around-world-170928441.html

Gigi Adam said her 79-year-old father Andre Adam died trying to protect his wife during the attack on Brussels airport.

Adam was a retired Belgian diplomat who had served as his country's ambassador to Cuba, the United States, the United Nations and other countries.

Justin Shults, 30, and his wife Stephanie Shults, had not been seen since Tuesday.

Her employer Mars, Inc., said in a Facebook post Saturday evening that her family had confirmed that she and her husband died in the bombings at the Brussels airport. . . .

They were dropping Stephanie's mother off at the airport and were watching her walk through security when the bombs went off, a family member said.

 

[mheslep]

For context only and not for further exploration, I note here that yesterday in Iraq a suicide attack occurred in a soccer stadium with casualty numbers very similar to the recent attack in Brussels.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/...ns-football-stadium-iraq-160325181900028.html

As in Brussels, ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

[Astronuc]

In a possibly related crime - Belgian nuclear guard shot and security access badge stolen: media
https://news.yahoo.com/belgian-nuclear-guard-shot-security-access-badge-stolen-125249013.html

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Two days after bomb attacks at Brussels airport and on a packed metro killed 31 people and injured hundreds, a security guard who worked at a Belgian nuclear plant was murdered and his pass was stolen, Belgian media reported on Saturday.

 

[Derek Francis]

If stuff like this keeps happening, you-know-who is going to get elected.

 

[Samy_A]

As if the horrible terrorist attacks were not enough, part of the Belgian press are constantly spreading false rumors, in a silly rush

In a possibly related crime - Belgian nuclear guard shot and security access badge stolen: media
https://news.yahoo.com/belgian-nuclear-guard-shot-security-access-badge-stolen-125249013.html

The foreign news agencies shouldn't blindly trust what our Belgian tabloids report (in this case La Dernière Heure, which has outdone its already bad reputation since the terror attacks in Brussels).

While the man was indeed murdered, no badge was stolen, and there is no reason to assume any connection with the terror attacks.

Source (in French): http://www.rtl.be/info/regions/hain...elle-la-piste-terroriste-dementie-805378.aspx

http://news.yahoo.com/brussels-attacks-suspect-charged-terrorist-murder-prosecutor-002333819.html
Belgium charges attacks suspect, . . . .Brussels airport suspect Najim Laachraoui arrested: Belgian media (March 23, 2016)
http://news.yahoo.com/brussels-airport-suspect-najim-laachraoui-arrested-belgian-media-104400309.html

But Laachraoui has also been reported as one of the suicide bombers. He can't be a successful suicide bomber and be arrested afterwards. Perhaps he was unsuccessful?

That Laachraoui was arrested was also a false report by La Dernière Heure.