Belgium Deploys Troops to Jewish Sites After Synagogue Blast

Belgium has deployed military personnel to bolster security at Jewish institutions across the country following an explosion at a synagogue in Liège that authorities described as a targeted antisemitic attack. The early-morning blast on March 9 damaged the building's facade and shattered windows but caused no injuries, prompting an immediate terrorism investigation.

Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Defense Minister Theo Francken announced the measure, stating that soldiers would assist federal police in patrolling synagogues, schools, and community centers, particularly in Brussels and Antwerp. Quintin emphasized the urgency, saying the incident served as a stark reminder of the real threat facing the nation's Jewish community amid a broader rise in antisemitism. Francken added that the collaboration would enhance deterrence and rapid response capabilities, with operations covering about 24 sites initially and involving more than 50 personnel. The deployment echoes past efforts, such as Operation Vigilant Guardian in 2015, when troops were mobilized after heightened terrorism concerns, including the 2014 shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussels that killed four people.