Belgium, like the US, will deploy the army against drug gangs

2025-09-15 17:34:39Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Belgium, like the US, will deploy the army against drug gangs

Belgium wants to follow the example of US President Donald Trump and deploy the military to improve internal security in the country.

Belgian soldiers could soon patrol major cities in Belgium to curb drug-related crime. The Belgian government is working on a law that will create the legal framework for this, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin announced.

"The army has a duty to protect the integrity of the national territory," he told the newspaper "De Standard."

"Usually it does this outside our borders, but the fight against drug crimes is also related to the integrity of national territory."

Quintin said army troops are expected to be deployed to Brussels "as soon as possible."

Clash between drug clans

The liberal minister's use of the word "war" shows the extent to which the drug scene has reached, and especially the clashes between drug clans in the Belgian capital.

In recent years, the number of street shootings has steadily increased in Brussels, mainly with military weapons such as Kalashnikovs.

According to the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office, 57 shootings and four deaths were recorded until mid-August of this year.

Brussels needs to "wake up"

In a sensational press conference in mid-August, the chief prosecutor of Brussels, Julien Moinil, publicly appealed to the government for help.

"It's only a matter of time before there are innocent victims. The government listens, but does nothing," he said.

Brussels "must finally wake up," demanded Chief Prosecutor Moinil.

Talking about a "drug clan war" is an understatement, he said. Anyone in Brussels can be hit by a stray bullet these days.

Moinil has intensified investigations into the drug scene. He is now under police protection after receiving numerous death threats from drug gangs./ DW


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