Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

All indications suggest that the number of shootings in Brussels will break new and tragic records by the end of this year. Bob De Brabandere, a Brussels MP from the far-right Vlaams Belang party, said: "Last year, the public prosecutor, Julien Moennel, warned that every resident of Brussels was at risk of being hit by a stray bullet, and today the situation is even worse." He added: "So, what has actually changed in a year? Nothing." The chairman of the council's internal affairs committee, Ortuyn Deportier (of the same party), agrees: "The question is: which is greater: the number of bullets fired indiscriminately, or the government's empty promises to take action? The committee must meet to discuss this." According to a party statement we obtained, he added:

This issue has been widely covered by the media: in the first seven months of 2026, the federal police recorded 57 shootings in Brussels' nineteen municipalities. Two people were killed and 21 injured. If the situation continues in the second half of the year, Brussels is threatening to set another tragic record.

"It seems like a repeat of what happened before," De Brabander said. "Last year, the public prosecutor, Julien Moinel, warned that every resident of Brussels was at risk of being hit by a stray bullet, and today the situation is even worse. The only difference from last year is that there is a new government of the Movement for Reform in Brussels, which is not actually changing anything."

"The government must be held accountable." For Depoortier, too, enough is enough. "Our prisons are still overcrowded, this government is lenient with illegal immigrants, and the justice system remains dysfunctional. If nothing has changed a year after the public prosecutor's plea for help, the government must be held accountable." De Brabandere rightly pointed to the responsibility, and above all, to the absence of then-Prime Minister Vervoort (of the Socialist Party) during the drug-related violence. "Where is Rudi Vervoort?" they asked then. Today, we can ask the same question: "Where is Boris Deles?" He added, "If Parliament, under the current government, doesn't convene a committee meeting now, it sends a clear message: these incidents aren't significant enough to warrant a meeting. That's unacceptable."

For his part, Depoortier criticizes De Wever's government, saying, "With this coalition with the New Flemish Alliance, it's all just political statements and useless 'task forces.' It's time for real action: to actually start carrying out sustained raids in the notorious neighborhoods. Arrests must be made." The committee called for the arrest and imprisonment of criminals and their repatriation to their countries of origin wherever possible. It also demanded that the government appear before the committee immediately to provide explanations.

Two new shootings occurred early Monday morning in Brussels, in the Saint-Gilles and Molenbeek districts. Two suspects were arrested in the Saint-Gilles incidents. These incidents follow a turbulent weekend that saw at least three shootings in Brussels. According to the newspaper Nieuwsblad, police received a report around 2:40 a.m. of a shooting near Rue de Foreststeenweg in Saint-Gilles. Upon arrival, rescue teams found an injured person and provided first aid until emergency medical services arrived. The injured person was taken to the hospital for treatment. During the initial search, two suspects were arrested in the area. The circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

The shooting in Molenbeek occurred around midnight on Rue Jean de Brocl, near the Belgium metro station. Police found a man there with a leg injury. He was taken to the hospital, but... His condition is stable. No arrests have been made so far.

The investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, a sleeping woman miraculously escaped being hit by a stray bullet in the third shooting incident in Brussels this week.

The stray bullet entered the window of an apartment. "There must be victims," ​​said Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinnet (Socialist Party).

This came after a gunman opened fire on a police station in Brussels, in an act authorities described as an attempt to destabilize the city. Learn about the reactions and ongoing measures.

According to local media, the Belgian capital has experienced a new wave of violence, with a police station in Anderlecht targeted by gunfire. The attack, which occurred on the night of August 21, 2026, raised concerns about urban security and the fight against organized crime.

The highest Belgian authorities condemned the incident, which resulted in no injuries, and promised to strengthen measures against drug trafficking and crime.

Brussels Regional Minister Boris Deles described the attack as "a new wake-up call" for the city, emphasizing that "we will not allow organized crime to take control." Our city."
Attack on Anderlecht Police Station
According to initial investigations, two individuals approached the police station on Rue Demosthenes at approximately 11:40 p.m.

One of them fired 12 shots with an automatic weapon, while the other filmed the scene. The two then fled on an electric scooter.

Local police chief Jürgen De Landscheir said the attack may have been in retaliation for recent police operations against drug trafficking in the area.
Interior Minister Bernard Quentin expressed his shock at the incident, stating, "Faced with such acts of intimidation, we will never waver in our determination to resolutely combat organized crime and drug trafficking."
Authorities' Response and Ongoing Measures
Brussels prosecutor Julien Moyniel described the attack as "unacceptable" and spoke of a "clear intention to destabilize the country." However, he reassured them that "they will not succeed." Belgian authorities are taking several measures to combat drug-related violence, including the appointment of a drug commissioner, who will take office at the end of September, and restrictions on the use of electric scooters. Criminals are frequently involved. An investment of 68 million euros is also planned for security and prevention.