Willis Towers Watson's latest insights on the recent terrorist activities in Brussels.

1. On the morning of 22 March, two attacks occurred at Brussel’s Zaventem Airport and the city’s metro system.
Approximately 34 people are reported to have been killed and 230 injured in the attacks. In the immediate
aftermath, air traffic to and from the airport was suspended until further notice, whilst the Brussels metro system
and buses were shut down. Belgium also raised its terror alert level to level four of a four tier system. As with the
Paris attacks conducted four months previously, Islamic State group (ISG) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The attacks underscore the threat posed by Islamist militants and serve as a reminder of both the security, social and
political challenges facing countries within Europe.
22 March Attacks
At approximately 0800 (CET) two explosions occurred within the airport’s departure hall. The attack began after a
burst of gunfire and yelling in Arabic, according to Belgian media outlets. Unconfirmed reports state that at least one
of the explosions occurred at the American Airlines check-in desk. Other reports suggest that two desks at opposite
ends of terminal A (one of them American Airlines) were attacked simultaneously. The bombings at the airport have
resulted in at least 11 people dead and 80 injured. Preliminary investigations at the airport following the attack
included the discovery of an explosive belt and an assault rifle.
At approximately 0920 (CET) reports emerged of an explosion at a metro station close to the EU parliament building.
Subsequent reports confirmed that the explosion occurred on-board a train between Arts Loi, Maelbeek and
Schuman metro stations. The attack on the metro is reported to have killed at least twenty people and wounded
over 130.
Brussels Attack Update - 23 March 2016

2. The Aftermath
Following the attacks, security forces quickly sought to apprehend those linked to the plot. CCTV footage purporting
to show three suspects in the airport terminal was released by the authorities, with police indicating that one of the
men, Najim Laachraoui, was still on the run. The other two men in the footage, brothers Khalid and Brahim El
Bakraoui, are suspected of detonating improvised suicide explosive devices in the Airport. Local media erroneously
reported that Najim Laachraoui was arrested by police during extensive searches in the capital's Anderlecht district.
Security force operations continue to be mounted throughout Brussels, with one such operation in the capital’s
Schaebeek district reportedly resulting in the seizure of a bomb, unspecified chemicals and Islamist extremist
paraphernalia.
The day following the attacks, transport disruption persists. Metro services were reported to be operating on a
limited schedule and amid robust security measures on 23 March. Brussel’s Zaventem Airport remained closed to all
flights, with authorities warning travellers to defer all travels to the facility.
Persistent and long-term Threat to Europe
Since 2004, Islamist militants both linked to and inspired by global jihadist movements have conducted several high-
profile terrorist attacks throughout mainland Europe and the United Kingdom (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - High-profile Attacks in Europe since 2004
The 22 March attack came four days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam in Brussel’s Molenbeek-Saint-Jean suburb,
who is suspected of involvement in the 13 November 2015 Paris attacks that killed over 130 people. Abdeslam is
reported to have informed authorities that he was planning further attacks.

3. Whilst the attacks in Brussels were devastating, they were not wholly surprising. As Abdeslam’s presence and
ultimate capture in Belgium demonstrates, militants have long used Belgium to maintain support networks for their
activities. This permissiveness to militant groups, and potential susceptibility to radicalisation amongst segments of
the population, is also illustrated by the proportion of foreign fighters to have travelled to Syria and Iraq from
Belgium since 2011. Of around 5,000 from Western Europe, most are from four countries: 1,700 from France, 760
each from the UK and Germany and 470 from Belgium. Given Belgium’s relative population size (roughly six-times
smaller than the UK); Belgium is believed to have contributed the highest pro-rata number of European foreign
fighters. It is also estimated that up to one in four of those fighters has already returned home, providing a potential
base of support, expertise and contacts for existing and new cells in Europe.
Outlook
Transport services in Brussels and wider Belgium are likely to continue to suffer severe disruption in the immediate
aftermath of the attack. Security forces are likely to consider that any subsequent, similar attacks may target
transport hubs and/or places of government or public gatherings.
The effects are likely to continue with security forces taking robust measures in response to any potential threats in
the coming days and weeks. An increased and visible security force presence can be expected in Brussels and at key
transport hubs in other European cities. As has happened after other attacks in Europe, raids by the security forces,
in addition to reactive measures taken in response to suspicious activity and hoaxes can be expected. Raids would
likely be conducted at short notice and result in disruption to freedom of movement. Moreover, they may represent
an incidental risk to those in the immediate vicinity.
Despite the undoubted effectiveness of many European security forces and associated agencies there is much room
for improvement in the sharing of intelligence between nations and the dissemination of timely and relevant
information to their respective police forces. It is likely that similar attacks on soft targets will be conducted in the
future. Given freedom of movement typically afforded to those in mainland Europe, it is impossible to predict where
terrorists may strike next. The target choice of militants has also proved to be diverse, with transport hubs, tourist
sites and sports stadia all coming under threat.
The attacks may further exasperate political tensions within the European Union over border controls and the
Schengen Agreement which have already been strained by the migrant crisis and fallout from the Paris attacks. The
coming weeks and months will likely see increased political rhetoric with calls for increased border security.
It is possible that Muslim-majority areas in European cities, such as Brussels’ Molenbeek district, will experience
greater feelings of isolation and victimisation as a result of future security force operations and raids. This is likely an
objective of Islamic extremists seeking to increase marginalisation within European cities and thus win over young
disaffected individuals to the extremist ideology.
Advice
Businesses in Europe seeking to provide a duty of care to their employees should follow the advice given on the
websites of the respective security services of each country outlining the nature and levels of threat. Business travel
and HR departments should rehearse and check their emergency staff location and alert systems in order to inform
staff of developments or to check their status during and after incidents.
Other measure may include:
• Restrict travel to Brussels in the immediate term
• Keep up to date with the local media and news sources as well as the latest updates and official information
available at: www.centredecrise.be
• Employees should restrict movement around the city while the security operations are ongoing
• People should avoid, where possible, avoid major transport hubs, government buildings and an iconic public
areas
• Companies should review physical security measures and increase them where necessary in line with the
increased national threat levels

4. • Companies should also review and rehearse crisis plans to ensure they are fit for purpose in line with the
changing threat
The Belgian Crisis Centre has given the Belgian telephone number 0032 2753 7300 for concerned family/friends or
1171 for general enquiries.
Clients in Brussels are advised to monitor the instructions of the Belgian Government in the media, to avoid, for the
time being, unnecessary journeys and to heed the advice of the security forces. Substantial business interruption due
to restrictions on movement and communications is to be expected over the next 24 to 48 hours and should be
factored in to planning.

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