2015 Brussels lockdown

Brussels lockdown
Company type	Security operation
Industry	Public safety, counter-terrorism
Founded	21 November 2015
Defunct	25 November 2015
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Area served	Brussels metropolitan area

From 21 to 25 November 2015, the Belgian authorities enforced a strict security lockdown in Brussels, shutting down shops, educational institutions, and public transit in response to intelligence indicating possible terrorist threats after the coordinated 13 November Paris attacks by the Islamic State. Salah Abdeslam, a Belgian-born French citizen, was suspected of hiding within the city. The terror alert was elevated to its maximum level (level four) throughout Brussels, advising residents to avoid public gatherings and effectively placing the entire city under lockdown conditions.

Impact

On the initial day of the lockdown, Haaretz depicted the scene as resembling "a war zone," with convoys from the Army patrolling streets and armored vehicles positioned at strategic points such as the royal palace and subway stations. Law enforcement requested a social media silence to safeguard ongoing operations, which led Twitter users to share cat images as a discreet nod to security level Four (quatre in French).

By 23 November, the third day into the lockdown, all educational facilities and universities remained closed alongside the Metro. Prime Minister Charles Michel declared that the lockdown would persist "for at least another week," with intentions to gradually reopen schools and metro services starting Wednesday.

The shutdown affected prominent organizations based in Brussels, including NATO, which evacuated all non-essential personnel on 23 November, and the European Union, which maintained operations under heightened security protocols. Belgium’s largest financial institution, KBC Bank, fully ceased operations at its headquarters on Monday.

According to the BBC, by day three, the city had essentially "come to a halt." After five days, on 25 November, restrictions were lifted; schools resumed classes and metro services restarted, though some retail outlets remained closed. Much like Paris’s experience, Brussels faced a significant downturn in tourism with numerous last-minute hotel cancellations. Retail businesses such as shops, cafes, and hotels reported revenue losses ranging from 90% up to complete closures.

Costs

The daily cost of the lockdown was estimated at €51.7 million, encompassing both security expenditures and lost commercial income. Additionally, Belgium requested a police budget increase of €100 million to address escalating counter-terrorism expenses. The overall economic impact amounted to roughly €350 million, with tourist arrivals in December 2015 declining by 20% compared to the previous year. To aid in rehabilitating the city’s reputation, Visit Brussels introduced the Call Brussels campaign, enabling people worldwide to connect via computer to public telephones located in Brussels.

Arrests and charges

Approximately 1,000 police officers were involved in efforts to locate Salah Abdeslam. During one weekend alone, law enforcement conducted no fewer than 20 raids within Brussels and surrounding areas, resulting in 16 arrests; however, 15 detainees were released shortly thereafter. Belgium’s federal prosecutor charged one individual with participation in the Paris attacks and membership in a terrorist organization. On Monday, an additional 21 arrests occurred, with 17 individuals subsequently released.

On 24 November, prosecutors formally charged four men with terrorism offenses:

Hamza Attou and Mohammed Amri admitted to transporting Salah Abdeslam from Paris to Brussels but denied any direct involvement in the attacks.
"Ali O.", a 31-year-old French citizen living in Molenbeek.
"Lazez A.", a 39-year-old Moroccan resident of Molenbeek arrested on 19 November; authorities discovered two pistols and blood traces inside his vehicle.

Aftermath

In his annual Christmas address, King Philippe reflected on the Brussels lockdown and the Paris terror incidents, highlighting the critical need to bolster the judiciary, police forces, military, and intelligence agencies. He conveyed his appreciation to all individuals dedicated to maintaining public security and commended the citizens of Brussels for their composed and resilient conduct throughout this difficult time.

Precedents

Prolonged citywide lockdowns triggered by terrorism are uncommon; the European Union characterized the Brussels lockdown as "without precedent." The restrictions implemented surpassed those during Belgium's 2007 highest-level alert. A similar event occurred in April 2013, when Boston underwent a one-day shutdown amid the manhunt for the Islamist perpetrators responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing.

References