The deployment of military personnel in the major cities will be maintained until December 2. On Friday, the Council of Ministers approved the proposal of Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder (PS) and Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V).
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Operation Vigilant Guardian was launched in January 2015 in response to the dismantling of the Verviers terror cell and the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo editorial office in Paris. Since then, soldiers have been patrolling the streets and supporting the police in guarding sensitive areas.
“Defense support will remain at a maximum of 550 military personnel for a period of one month, from November 3, 2020 to December 2, 2020. This number also takes into account a reserve capacity that can be deployed immediately,” the government said in a press release.
The Coordination Body for Threat Analysis (OCAD) conducted a new analysis on 20 October. The level will be maintained at 2, on a scale of 4. “In addition, threat level 3 will remain in effect for a number of potential targets,” the press release says.
The coalition agreement of the new federal government stipulates that the defense mission will end. The personnel capacity of the federal police, the impact for the local police and the development of the new “Security” (DAB) directorate within the federal police are taken into account.
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