Belgium Deploys Troops, Seeks Rest of Terror Cell

Belgium has joined France in deploying thousands of soldiers throughout its territory to increase security after the attack on Charlie Hebdo and a series of raids that resulted in gunfights and arrests of jihadists.

Reuters reports that 300 Belgian troops have been sent to guard possible targets of terror attacks including Jewish schools and business, the US embassy, and sites affiliated with the European Union and NATO.

Belgium's Defense Minister Steven Vandeput justified the deployment of troops by saying that the domestic police force is currently stretched too thin investigating possible terror cells on top of their regular duties.

The troops will remain on Belgian streets until at least Thursday, Jan. 22. The Belgian government will then reassess the security situation and adjust accordingly.

The immediate cause of the troop deployment was a series of at least 10 anti terror raids executed by the Belgian police Jan. 15. One of the raids, in Verviers, resulted in a gunfight where two jihadists were killed and another was injured and arrested. In addition to guns and bomb making materials, the authorities found Belgian police uniforms, suggesting a high level of planning.

CNN reports that suspects in that raid had links to the Islamic State and other terrorist cells throughout Europe. CNN also says that not everyone affiliated with the Belgian terror cell. The CIA and Greek authorities are currently searching for a Belgian in Greece who is being described as the head of the cell.

This uncertainty and potential for another attack was almost certainly a consideration in the decision to deploy soldiers domestically.

Reuters notes one of the sites troops will protect is the Jewish Museum in Brussels, which suffered a terrorist attack last year when a jihadist who had returned from Syria opened fire on museum patrons, killing four.