On Sunday, Belgium observed the solemn tenth anniversary of the devastating jihadist bombings that shook Brussels in 2016, an event that remains etched deeply in the nation’s collective memory. The coordinated attacks, claimed by the Islamic State group, resulted in the tragic loss of 32 lives and left over 300 people injured, marking the deadliest peacetime assault in Belgium’s history. This painful chapter continues to influence the country’s approach to intelligence gathering and counterterrorism measures, prompting authorities to remain vigilant against similar threats.
The day’s commemorations began early at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, precisely at 8:00 am local time—the exact moment when the suicide bombers unleashed their deadly explosives. The ceremony then moved to the Maelbeek metro station, another target of the coordinated attacks, before culminating at a monument dedicated to the victims. King Philippe, accompanied by Queen Mathilde and Prime Minister Bart de Wever, addressed hundreds gathered at the memorial, emphasizing the nation’s resilience. “Our country will never forget,” the King declared, underscoring Belgium’s refusal to succumb to fear or division in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Survivors shared their harrowing experiences during the memorial, bringing a human face to the tragedy. Beatrice de Lavalette, who lost both legs in the airport bombing, recounted the agonizing moments she endured. “Living this life is far from easy,” she said, describing the physical and emotional scars that remain. Despite the trauma, she has found strength and purpose, becoming a Paralympic horse rider, symbolizing hope and determination in the face of adversity.
The Brussels attacks were orchestrated by the same jihadist cell responsible for the horrific Paris attacks in November 2015, which claimed 130 lives. After retreating to safe houses in Brussels, the militants launched their assault shortly after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving member of the Paris attack team, on March 18, 2016. The bombings unfolded on the morning of March 22, with three suicide bombers detonating explosives first at the airport and then at the crowded Maelbeek metro station, located near the European Union institutions.
As Belgium marked this grim milestone, concerns about ongoing threats remain high amid the continuing conflicts in the Middle East. Recent incidents, including a pre-dawn explosion at a synagogue in Liege and similar attacks targeting Jewish communities in the Netherlands, have heightened fears of further violence. Belgium’s threat level remains at “serious,” the third tier on a four-point scale, following a fatal shooting in Brussels in October 2023, where a gunman killed two Swedish football fans before being neutralized by police.
Belgium faced sharp criticism for security lapses prior to the 2016 bombings, a failure that still weighs heavily on officials. Gert Vercauteren, head of the country’s OCAM national threat analysis center, described the aftermath as a profound sense of failure shared across the security apparatus. The government was shaken to its core, with two ministers resigning after revelations that warnings from Turkey about one of the bombers, Ibrahim El Bakraoui, had been overlooked. El Bakraoui had been deported by Turkey in 2015 after being detained near the Syrian border, yet this critical intelligence was not acted upon effectively.
Prime Minister Bart de Wever reaffirmed the government’s commitment to learning from past mistakes, stressing the importance of safeguarding national security. Since 2016, Belgium has made significant strides in improving coordination among its justice system, police, and intelligence agencies. The number of personnel dedicated to state security has risen from 600 to 950, reflecting a substantial investment in counterterrorism capabilities. A key advancement has been the establishment of a shared database tracking extremist profiles, accessible to all security services, including local police forces engaged in community outreach. This tool is continuously updated and currently monitors 555 individuals, with 86 percent flagged for Islamist extremism.
Despite these improvements, many victims and their families continue to struggle with recognition and compensation for the physical and psychological damage they sustained. Edmond Pinczowski, who lost his two adult children in the airport attack, voiced the frustrations felt by many survivors. “There is a persistent feeling of abandonment among victims and their relatives,” he said, highlighting the ongoing battle for acknowledgment and financial justice even a decade later. This enduring struggle underscores the long-term human cost of terrorism beyond the immediate tragedy.
