Are these the Belgian terror bombers? ISIS claims responsibility for attacks that left 34 dead as airport CCTV 'shows suspects wearing single black gloves to hide triggers for suicide vests'
A major manhunt is underway tonight for an ISIS suspect in a
white coat and black hat (right) who fled Brussels Airport after two
explosions ripped through the terminal in a suicide bomb attack this
morning, killing 14 people and injuring dozens of others. Police issued a
wanted notice for the man who was seen on CCTV pushing a luggage
trolley through the check-in area with two other suspects minutes before
the blasts. His alleged accomplices were wearing black gloves on their
left hands (circled in red), which security sources say would have
hidden the triggers for their explosive vests. His alleged accomplices
were wearing black gloves on their left hands, which security sources
say would have hidden the triggers for their explosive vests. Bombs were
also said to have been planted in their suitcases which they checked in
just minutes before the atrocities, according to Zaventem mayor Francis
Vermeiren. He said: 'They came in a taxi with their suitcases, their
bombs were in their bags. They put their suitcases on trolleys, the
first two bombs exploded. The third also put his on a trolley but he
must have panicked, it didn't explode.' The two men blew themselves up
while the third suspect is believed to have left his nail bomb before
being spotted running from the terminal. It is not known if the fugitive
then sped to Maelbeek station to carry out the blast that killed 20
people in a subway train just 79 minutes later. It came as ISIS claimed
responsibility for the massacres, which have killed 34 people in total
and injured close to 200 others. Anti-terror police confirmed this
evening that an ISIS flag, another nail bomb and 'chemical products' had
been found at a property in the Schaerbeek area during a raid in
connection with the attacks.
Police launch massive manhunt for suspect in a white coat as chilling airport CCTV shows 'ISIS bombers' wearing single black gloves to hide triggers for suicide vests in attacks that left 34 dead
- ISIS has claimed responsibility for the massacres, which have killed 34 in total and injured close to 200 others
- CCTV from Brussels airport reveals picture of three suspects and man in a hat now believed to be on the run
- Anti-terror police said they had found another bomb, an ISIS flag and 'chemical products' in raids after attacks
- 14 people were killed and 50 more injured in two bombs at Brussels airport while 20 were killed on Maelbeek Metro
- Foreign Ministry say some terrorists involved in deadly plot are 'still at large' and Britain and U.S. helping with hunt
- Armed police have arrested two men in dramatic stand-off in city centre and suspect also held on Amsterdam train
- Following the attack in Brussels, ISIS threatened to hit the UK 'harder and more bitter through the grace of Allah'
Wanted: Police have issued an appeal
to catch this ISIS suspect, seen on CCTV footage dressed in a white
shirt and jacket and wearing a dark hat as he pushed a luggage trolley
through the airport minutes before two bombs rocked Brussels Airport
A
major manhunt is underway tonight for an ISIS suspect in a white coat
and black hat who fled Brussels Airport after two explosions ripped
through the terminal in a suicide bomb attack this morning, killing 14
people and injuring dozens of others.
Police
issued a wanted notice for the man who was seen on CCTV calmly pushing a
luggage trolley through the check-in area with two other suspects
minutes before the blasts at about 8am (7am GMT) today.
His
alleged accomplices were wearing black gloves on their left hands,
which security sources say would have hidden the triggers for their
explosive vests.
Bombs
were also said to have been planted in their suitcases which they
checked in just minutes before the atrocities, according to the local
mayor.
Zaventem mayor Francis Vermeiren said: 'They came in a taxi with their suitcases, their bombs were in their bags.
'They
put their suitcases on trolleys, the first two bombs exploded. The
third also put his on a trolley but he must have panicked, it didn't
explode.'
The
two men blew themselves up while the third suspect is believed to have
left his nail bomb before being spotted running from the terminal.
It
is not known if the fugitive then sped to Maelbeek station to carry out
the other blast that killed 20 people in a subway train just 79 minutes
later.
Belgian
police launched the manhunt as ISIS claimed responsibility for the
massacres, which killed 34 people in total and injured close to 200
others.
As
a series of anti-terror police raids were mounted across Belgium today,
prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw confirmed two suicide bombers died in the
attack on Brussels' main airport while the third is being 'actively'
sought.
In
a statement, officers appealed for information about the on-the-run
suspect, who was pictured wearing a hat and a light-coloured jacket.
'Police
are looking to identify this man. He is suspected of having committed
the attack at Zaventem on Tuesday March 22,' it said.
It
also emerged this afternoon that police had discovered another nail
bomb, a number of 'chemical products' and an ISIS flag at a house in the
Schaerbeek area during a raid in connection with this morning's
attacks.
Police
conducted dozens of raids and swooped on a number of suspects as the
Belgian Foreign Ministry said many of those behind the terror plot are
'still at large'.
It
came after the world today woke up to yet another deadly terror attack
in Europe - just four months after 130 people were massacred in Paris.
In
all too familiar scenes, terrifying photos showed bloodied victims and
maimed bodies after two bombs were detonated at Brussels' main airport.
Just
79 minutes later, commuters on their way to work lost limbs as a third
bomb tore apart a train carriage on the Metro line in Maelbeek - killing
14.
Horrifying
pictures, many of which resemble the heartbreaking devastation seen in
the wake of the London 7/7 bombings, show innocent commuters covered in
blood and sprawled out on the floor after being targeted in the attack.
Europe
now remains on high alert amid fears of further attacks from ISIS,
which has already threatened to hit the UK 'harder and more bitter'.
In
a statement released today following the Brussels attack, the terrorist
group said on its official Telegram account: 'We promise to the states
that are allied against the Islamic State that they will face dark days
in return for their aggression against our state.
'And what will await you will become harder and more bitter through the grace of Allah.
'In
praise of Allah who has made our blows precise and helped us succeed.
we demand for him to accept our brothers among the martyrs.'
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Brussels
now remains on lockdown with police desperately carrying out a series
of anti-terror raids in a city which has already been deemed a 'clearing
house for jihadism'. More jihadis have travelled from Belgium to fight
for ISIS in Syria and Iraq than have gone from any other European
country.
In
the wake of November's Paris massacres, it emerged that those behind
the attacks masterminded them from Brussels leading French media to
heavily criticise the Belgian authorities.
Bomber
Salah Abdeslam, who was finally arrested on Friday, had links with the
Brussels district of Moelenbeek - an area with a large North African
population - whose mayor once described it a 'terrorists' den' because
of the number of jihadists living there.
In
light of today's attacks, two people in Brussels were arrested at
gunpoint outside the city's North railway station, a mile from the
Maelbeek subway.
Another man was also taken into custody by armed police at Brussels South railway station near the suburb of Schaerbeek.
German media reported that three men were arrested on suspicion of terror offences on a motorway between Munich and Salzburg.
The
men were said to have been Kosovans who had travelled from Brussels,
and the Office of Criminal Police of Bavaria said inquiries were
ongoing.
Another
person was also arrested on a train near Amsterdam, while hours later
shots were fired at the Dutch capital's main train station during an
arrest attempt. Police later confirmed the arrests in Amsterdam were not
related to Brussels and the suspects were detained on suspected drug
offences.
A suspect package found at Gard du Nord in Paris also delayed Eurostar services this afternoon.
First picture:
These three men, pretending to be air passengers, are believed to the
terrorists who have carried out the Brussels airport. The two suspected
suicide bombers on the left were both wearing black gloves - which the
Belgian media says would have hidden the triggers for their explosive
vests. The third suspect in the hat is believed to still be on the run
after dropping his nail bomb
Panic: A fire caused by one of the
explosions in the terminal is tackled by airport staff with
extinguishers surrounded by baggage and falling roof tiles
Obliterated: Ceiling tiles and debris
are littered across the floor of the terminal building after twins blast
rocked the check-in area
A
soldier walks through debris after two explosion rocked a terminal
building at Brussels Airport - but security sources say Belgian police
already have CCTV of at least one bomber and the explosion
MailOnline
revealed earlier today that security services already have CCTV of one
of today's Brussels airport bombers including the moment he detonated
his suicide belt.
Every space in the city's airport is covered by four CCTV cameras, including the departures hall where at least 14 were killed.
Maelbeek
station's surveillance network is also being used to pinpoint the
moment that 20 people were murdered 79 minutes later.
Police
are already trawling through hours of CCTV footage filmed before and
after the deadly explosions as they hunt for those behind the attacks.
The
carnage began at 8am today when two suspected nail bombs were set off
in the check-in area of Brussels airport. A third unexploded suicide
belt was found in the rubble. Just 79 minutes later a bomb blew up an
underground train.
Shocking
images from Maelbeek station show the mangled remains of the train,
smoke pouring out of the building and casualties littered on the
pavement outside - just 400metres from the EU's headquarters.
The
bomb went off at 9.19am - just over an hour after two explosions killed
at least 14 in a suicide attack on the Belgian capital's main airport.
The
British Foreign Office confirmed two Britons were injured in the
explosions, while three American missionaries from Utah were also
seriously hurt.
A
Foreign Office spokesman said: 'Embassy staff are providing consular
assistance to two injured Britons and are ready to support any further
British nationals that have been affected. British nationals should
follow the advice of local security authorities and check our travel
advice for updates.'
Mormon
church officials said the three missionaries from Utah were Richard
Norby, 66, Joseph Empey, 20, and Mason Wells, 19. Mr Empey is said to be
recovering well after being treated for second-degree burns to his
hands, face and head as well as shrapnel injuries.
Brussels'
public transport authority has revealed that the three-carriage train
at Maelbeek was ripped apart by a single explosion, with the bomb set
off in its middle carriage. It is not known if it was a suicide attack
or a planted bomb.
Christian
Delhasse, the driver of the Metro train, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF:
'Seeing bodies on the floor, it leaves a mark on you.
'I did what I had to do. Nothing happened to me, no injuries.'
Explosion: The
image above is being used by the Belgian media who claim this is the
damage caused by the bomb at the Maelbeek Metro station in central
Brussels this morning. It has not been verified by the authorities but
is being widely circulated on social media.
Surrounded: Two men on their knees with hands on their head are held in Brussels as the authorities
Drama: Two men were pinned to the
ground by armed police and special forces as the hunt for members of the
terror cell behind today's bombings in Brussels started
Interventions: The arrests came as the
authorities start to round up any people deemed a risk to the public,
including here at Brussels North station - a mile from the Maelbeek
bombing
Across the border: A suspect with his
hands up is arrested as he is taken off a train because of suspicious
activity at Hoofddorp Station in Amsterdam
Commuters
on the Metro at the time described hearing a loud bang before they were
evacuated from trains and forced to walk down smoke-filled tunnels and
along the track to the closest safe station.
A
witness said: 'We left Maelbeek station towards the centre at around
9.07, 9.10, when we felt an explosion which appeared to come from the
front of the train.
'The lights went off, there was panic given what happened at Brussels airport.
'The
doors of the train were forced open to get off the train. There was a
lot of smoke. We left via Maelbeek station. The glass doors were blown
out. The explosion must have been enormous.'
Emergency services at the scene were carrying the dead and injured out of the station on stretchers.
Alexandre
Brans, 32, who was wiping blood from his face, said: 'The metro was
leaving Maelbeek station when there was a really loud explosion.
'It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro.'
20 people are said to have been killed at the Metro bombing at 9.19am.
Brussels resident Shigeo Sugimoto said he was one stop away from where the metro was hit and heard people shouting.
He wrote on Facebook: 'I am fine !! But i was in the metro when suddenly some one start shouting 'explosions!!! Evacuation!!!
'Ouch!!! I was just one station ahead before when explosion happened !!!!!!!!'
He posted pictures showing cars and people standing in the road and wrote: 'Maerbeek (sic) now apocalypse!!!'
Mr
Sugimoto said he saw a man with blood on his face in the vicinity of
Maelbeek station in the EU quarter, near the European Commission's main
building.
He
was at Arts-Loi station, one ahead of Maelbeek, and told the Press
Association: 'On the ground, there were already people walking every
direction to distance (themselves) from metro and the Belgian army were
there trying to make people calm.
'I
saw a guy, blood over his face, dragged by another person. Then police
start blocking the street and I could only see ambulances go and come.'
Evan Lamos was among the thousands of commuters on tube trains this morning when the network was attacked.
He
was two stops away from Maelbeek and the passengers on his train were
evacuated from the carriages into a smoke-filled tunnel and then walked
along the tracks to the exit at the nearest station.
He said: 'There was a dull thud. We felt a blast of air and my ears popped shortly afterwards. The Metro stopped immediately'.
Mr Lamos was told that there was 'an incident on the line', suggesting that a train may have been bombed.
Victim:
A bloodied commuter is given oxygen and treated for a head injury on
the kerb outside the Metro station where a train was blown up today
Survivors: Commuters on the Metro at the time described hearing a loud bang before they were evacuated from trains (pictured)
Panic:
Commuters in the Metro described a bang, and a rush of air that made
their ears pop before they tore open the train doors and walked down the
track to the closest station
Aftermath:
A man lies stricken on the pavement as survivors kiss in relief after
surviving the bombing, which has killed at least ten
Emergency:
A victim is treated under a blanket to keep them warm next to a woman
with a head injury as rescue workers treat victims outside the Maelbeek
underground station
Bravery: People injured are treated, comforted and given water by the emergency services as they help the wounded
Ian McCafferty was on the Metro when the explosion took place in Maelbeek.
He
told Sky News: 'I was getting off at the station before Maelbeek and we
heard a very loud thud. The stations are much closer together than in
London so we heard it clearly.
'Panic set in and people rushed off the train. We ran to the stairs and were met by soldiers who quickly evacuated the station'.
The
explosions came just a day after the Belgium Interior Minister warned
of possible revenge attacks after the arrest of Paris massacre suspect
Salah Abdeslam in the city last week.
At
the airport, shouts in Arabic were reportedly heard before the
explosions which sent shockwaves through the terminal building,
shattering windows, knocking roof tiles off the ceiling and sending
terrified passengers running for their lives.
Samir Derrouich, who works at a restaurant in the airport, told MailOnline: 'The two explosions were almost simultaneous.
'They
were both at check in desk. One was close to the Starbucks. It was
awful. There was just blood. It was like the apocalypse.'
Photographs
from inside the arrivals hall showed the floor covered in fallen tiles
and dust as bloodied people hobbled out of the airport. Others injured
were photographed lying on the floor.
Video shows terrified passengers running for their lives out of the terminal.
In
the aftermath of the explosions at the airport, thousands of people
waiting for flights this morning were penned inside the terminal as
police sealed off the shattered arrivals hall.
A terrified passenger cowers under a
check-in desk moments after two explosions rocked Brussels Airport in a
suicide bomb attack today
Passengers shield themselves under
bags as smoke and debris fill the terminal in the moments after the twin
blast at Brussels Airport
A police officer directs passengers in
a smoke filled terminal at Brussels Airport after two explosions ripped
through the terminal
Firefighters
search the terminal for explosives and survivors (left) as
Brazilian-born basketballer Sebastien Bellin lies injured on the floor
Carnage: At least eleven people have
died and several injured after two explosions rocked Brussels Airport in
a suspected terror attack
Injured passengers are covered in blood and dust after the explosions in the terminal building
Shouts in Arabic were reportedly heard
before the explosions which sent shockwaves through the terminal
building, shattering windows
Blown out: The explosions sent shock
waves through the terminal building, shattering windows and knocking
roof tiles off the ceiling
Hundreds of
terrified passengers ran from the terminal, some of them covered in
blood, after the blasts rocked the building at 8am
Blast zone: The two bombs are believed
to have gone off in these areas of the arrivals hall, as thousands were
checking in for flights
Firefighters
who entered the shattered building are said to have found a third
unexploded device. This has since been deactivated at Brussels airport,
an official said. Reports this evening also suggest a fourth undetonated
bomb was also found after further searches among the rubble.
People
already checked-in were slowly evacuated through emergency exits
following the blasts – but were told to leave all their hand luggage as
police checked bags for more explosives.
Evacuated
air passengers were ferried onto buses and driven to a 'crisis centre'
away from the airport. Women and children were moved first.
Pauline Deglume tweeted: 'My godfather is located at the airport and said he saw dismembered bodies everywhere.'
Dries Valaert, 30, was waiting to get his boarding pass from a check in desk when the blast struck.
He
told MailOnline: 'There was a first blast and then ten seconds later a
second explosion. It was a big big blast, the ceiling went down. It was
just 30 metres from where I was.
'I
saw people down on the ground and I just went running. I jumped over
the security fences towards the departure gates as I thought it would be
safer.
My
first intuition was to get out in case their were attackers with guns. I
saw a woman around 18 years old with a hole in her hand with blood
pouring out and a man with an injured ankle and two people down. There
was lots of panic. People were running all over the place.'
Mr
Valaert, who was flying to a business meeting in Berlin, said he
believed the bombs were hidden in suitcases that had just been checked
in.
He
said: 'The explosions were just behind the service desks, they were
blown towards us. To me it is the most realistic possibility. I don't
think it was someone with a suicide vest.'
Tribute: People stood in front of the
Brandenburg gate in Berlin, which is illuminated in the colours of the
Belgian flag this evening
In mourning: The Eiffel Tower in Paris
illuminated in colours of the Belgian flag in tribute to the victims of
terrorist attacks in Brussels
Je Suis Bruxelles: People hold up a
banner as a mark of solidarity at the Place de la Bourse following
today's attacks in Brussels, Belgium
In honour and memory: Scores of people
bring flowers and candles to mourn for the victims at Place de la
Bourse in the centre of Brussels
Rest in peace: A young girl lights a
candle at the Place de la Bourse following today's attacks in Brussels,
in which 31 people were killed
In loving memory: Candles are lit and
dozens of touching notes left in honour of the 31 people who were killed
in today's Brussels attack
Young and old: Mourners of all ages
turned out to the Place de la Bourse in Brussels today to pay tribute to
those were tragically killed
Solidarity: Mourners lay candles at
the Place de la Bourse in Brussels this evening following the terror
attacks which have rocked the world
Armed
police in protective clothing combed the building for more wounded
travellers and suspicious bags. All flights are being diverted from the
airport as it remains on lockdown.
Maelbeek is the station that most EU workers use daily.
The
European Commission's vice-president Kristalina Georgieva said meetings
were cancelled and urged people to 'stay home or inside buildings'.
The
metro station is close to the commission's Berlaymont headquarters, the
European Parliament and the European Council's Justus Lipsius building
in the Belgian capital.
Ms
Georgieva said on Twitter: 'Following situation in Brussels. EU
institutions working together to ensure security of staff&
premises.Please stay home or inside buildings.
'All
EU institutions are at alert level ORANGE - all meetings on premises
and outside cancelled, access only for staff with badges.'
Police and special forces are looking for known members of any terror cell who may be planning more attacks.
They
will also round up anyone who may pose a threat to the public, or
acting suspiciously, in an attempt to foil any more attacks.
Special
forces are also patrolling the streets in case of more bombings or
marauding gunmen used to kill 131 people in at least five Paris attacks
in November 13 last year.
Britain
and United States will already be playing a key role in trying to help
the Belgian authorities work out who was behind the attacks.
Both
MI5 and the CIA have stations in Brussels and its teams have 'unique
expertise' that will help trace those behind the bombings.
The National Crime Agency, Britain's FBI, will also be in the city already because of the heightened terror threat.
Tech
specialists will be scanning the phone numbers, email addresses, IP
addresses, GPS records and forums known to be used by terrorists - and
tracing links to Britain and America.
Anti-terror raids: A Belgian police
officer is seen searching an apartment in the Schaerbeek area of
Brussels this evening after the attacks
Out in force: Belgian police and
security personnel are seen during a series of anti-terror raids in
Schaerbeek, Brussels, this evening
Anti-terror police: Detectives found
an ISIS flag, chemical products and another nail bomb at a house during a
raid in Schaerbeek tonight
Tracking down the suspects: A police
sharpshooter takes aim from a helicopter hovering over Brussels'
rooftops following today's attacks
Guarding the skies: A police
helicopter hovers over Brussels following today's deadly bomb attacks
which killed 24 and injured around 200
Collecting evidence? Police search for
evidence and empty a public bin near the Maelbeek metro station which
was bombed earlier today
Combing the verge: Police detectives
were today out in force to gather evidence which could help find those
behind today's atrocities
On the ground: Police officers were
seen gathering evidence and combing the grassy area near Maelbeek tube
station this afternoon
WAS FUGITIVE PARIS 'BOMB MAKER' BEHIND THE BRUSSELS BLASTS? TERROR EXPERT CLAIMS USE OF 'MULTIPLE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES' BEARS ALL THE HALLMARKS OF THE ISIS CELL THAT TARGETED THE FRENCH CAPITAL
The
suspected bombmaker responsible for the Paris massacre was very likely
behind today's Brussels blasts, a top terror expert has claimed.
Rafaello
Pantucci, the Director of International Security Studies at the Royal
United Services Institute, said the use of 'multiple, viable explosive
devices' bore all the hallmarks of the co-ordinated bomb attacks that
killed 130 in the French capital.
It also indicated that possibly more than one experienced bombmaker was involved, he added.
Najim Laachraoui, who is believed to have gone on the run after Paris logistics chief Salah Abdeslam's capture.
Police issued this photograph of Najim Laachraoui, one of the suspects of the Paris terror attacks who has gone on the run
He
said: 'We don't know much about him at this point. This individual is
being identified as a bomb maker but we have concerns whether that is
100 per cent true or if he's one of a number of bomb makers.
'This
terrorist group in Brussels had multiple, viable explosive devices. It
suggests they were dealing with someone with substantial experience.
'That
could be the same person responsible for the bomb devices in the Paris
attacks but it could be someone else, part of a larger cell.
'Given
the location and the nature and the use of explosives and guns the
thought process goes down the page of assuming it's linked to the
organised network around Abdeslam.
'We can't be sure but it would be surprising if it wasn't the same group.'
A
friend of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who masterminded the November 2015 Paris
attacks, told police that the jihadi claimed he was among 90 'kamikaze'
terrorists who smuggled themselves across the Mediterranean with
migrants and refugees.
Armed presence: A soldier with his
face covered guards a road near the Maalbeek subway station as they try
to stop any further attacks
Deployment: Scores of armed forces have flooded the streets of Brussels as suspects remain at large
Since
the Paris attacks, Scotland Yard has had officers in the French capital
as well as in Brussels when it emerged the attackers were based in the
Belgian capital.
These British officers, and diplomats, will be helping with the investigation.
Armed
police have been deployed to airports, train stations, ports and border
crossings around the world in the immediate aftermath of today's
suspected suicide attacks in Brussels.
From
New York to Moscow, security measures were stepped up at transport hubs
across the globe with police and military personnel carrying out extra
high-visibility patrols and additional checks.
The
border between France and Belgium was closed, Eurostar services in and
out of Brussels were suspended and airlines to and from other
destinations were warning passengers of potential disruption as the
effects of this morning's terror attacks were felt around the world.
Train
and bus stations, ports and road checkpoints were also put on high
alert, with armed police on the streets in major global cities including
London and New York, sniffer dogs deployed and extensive border checks
put in place.
London
mayor Boris Johnson said there would be an increased security presence
at transport hubs in the city, while the country's most senior
counter-terrorism officer Mark Rowley said police forces across the UK
had increased their presence at key locations as a precaution in the
wake of the Brussels attacks.
And
in the US, the NYPD said it would be increasing security measures at
mass transit points, bridges and tunnels, and other landmarks following
today's attacks.
Police
and soldiers carrying guns were also seen at airports in the
Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, while in France - still shaken from the
November attacks in Paris - officers remained on high alert.
Troops
have also been deployed other key locations across Brussels as Belgium
raised its security level to 'maximum' in the wake of the attacks.
The
entire border between Belgium and France was placed on lock-down, and
the Thalys train service - which travels between France, Belgium and the
Netherlands - was halted in the wake of the explosions, the operator
said.
Dutch military police were carrying out additional high-visibility patrols at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam
Armed officers make their way through
the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras station in London. There was an
increased security presence at transport hubs across the city
SECURITY SERVICES FEARED BLOODY TERRORIST ATTACK IN BRUSSELS SINCE ARREST OF FAILED PARIS BOMBER
By David Williams for MailOnline
Europe's security services had feared a
bloody terrorist outrage in Brussels since the high-profile arrest of
Paris failed suicide bomber Salah Abdeslam (pictured) in the city four
days ago
Europe's
security services had feared a bloody terrorist outrage in Brussels
since the high-profile arrest of Paris failed suicide bomber Salah
Abdeslam in the city four days ago.
Intelligence
officers today described the attacks in the Belgian capital as 'sadly
expected' both as a 'revenge' for the arrest of Europe's most wanted man
but also ironically because the jihadists knew that he could betray
them.
For
while the Brussels-born Islamist had become a symbol of defiance for
the jihadist movement and Islamic State during his extraordinary four
months on the run under the noses of Belgium's biggest manhunt, his
dramatic arrest on a street in the Molenbeek district of the city also
signalled the net could be closing on those he had plotted with.
Crucially,
Belgian investigators had already suggested that Abdeslam was
co-operating with them and his fellow jihadists would have known that he
could betray them – and their plans.
Intelligence
officers told MailOnline the concerns of his fellow terrorists would
have been fuelled by the fact that twice Abdeslam had 'pulled back' from
killing himself by triggering a suicide vest – once in Paris and again
on the day of his arrest.
'This
showed a weakness, a desire to live which would have been played on
during questioning,' an anti-terror specialist said today.
'He
was not a man showing inner strength and the capacity to withstand
interrogation, this meant that if those involved in today's attacks were
known to him they believed they had to activate their plans before they
too were arrested and their weapons seized.'
Mobile
telephones, laptops and CCTV footage recovered from the basement
apartment Abdeslam was hiding in are also likely to have provided clues
as to the identities and locations of fellow terror suspects, many of
them living in Molenbeek which is seen by many investigators as being
the 'heart' of IS operations in Europe .
'At
this stage we can't be sure those behind today's attacks are directly
associated with Abdeslam but it is certainly fair to say the suicide
attacks will be linked to his detention,' the anti-terror specialist
added.
'They
send a clear message to the authorities that they have arrested a
well-known suspect but there are many more out there prepared to do what
Abdeslam was not willing to do : blow himself up. They will know that
this is the hardest thing to stop and there are still a lot of explosive
devices out there.'
He
added: 'There is the obvious fear that this is only the beginning of
attacks against soft targets both in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe. A
departure lounge, like a tube station, is an easy target but it also has
the 'advantage' from the terrorist perspective of a focused attack –
the chances are there would be Americans – the priority for IS - waiting
to check-in at an American Airlines desk.'
Abdeslam
is believed to be the sole survivor of the 10 men who were directly
involved in the attacks that killed 130 people in and around Paris on
November 13.
A
suicide vest was said to have been found in the Molenbeek flat where
Abdeslam had been sheltered and similar devices have been seized in
other raids as well as having been used in the Stade de France bombings
last November.
It
is in this district that much of the investigation into the Brussels
attacks will initially focus with Belgian officers – severely criticised
for their embarrassing failure to arrest one of the world's most wanted
men when he was living just a few streets from his old home – seeking
to identify the suicide bombers.
They
will be aided by the fact that both Zaventem airport and the
underground are extensively covered by security cameras which are
believed to have captured at least one of the bombers shortly before the
suicide belt was triggered.
Officers
will work on tracing back the movements of the bombers from their
targets to the minutes before, identifying how they travelled - were
they dropped off and if so, by who ? Did they use public transport or a
private car as in the Paris atrocities ?
They
will seek to answer when the bombers travelled, how they concealed
their devices and whether they were linked to so-called 'chatter'
monitored by security officials pointing towards an attack in some form.
Police
will seek to discover where they began their journey – and if they were
on the radar of Belgian and French investigators or if they were
so-called 'clean skins' not previously known to police. A number of
'sleeper cells' are suspected to be hiding in Belgium.
At
least two suspected terror cells are said to have been under
surveillance by the Belgian authorities while French police are said to
be monitoring dozens of men and women 'of interest' in and around Paris.
The
UK's communication headquarters in Cheltenham is said to have been
helping with the monitoring of messages sent from Syria and Iraq to
Europe. Intelligence is said to have been 'shared' with Belgium, France,
Germany and Holland as well as the United States in recent days.
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