Mobilization of the Belgian defense after the attacks
(B2) Immediately after the attacks, the Belgian Ministry of Defense decided to mobilize different units, after the decision of OCAM to raise the threat level to level 4.
All means mobilized
This resulted - as the Defense explained - in the provision of civilian units, " logistical resources, SEDEE mine clearance or defense tracking dogs” to detect suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Ambulances were also mobilized to provide medical transport, as well as helicopters to monitor medical and logistical transport.
The mobilized military hospital
The Neder-Over-Heembeek military hospital, which has experience in the treatment of victims of explosions or burns. The Military Hospital was on the front line during the initial reception of victims “says the defense. Some victims, especially those with severe burns, received permanent care while others received first aid before being transferred to other hospitals. After the first emergency phase, it also served as a central point for receiving the families of victims or looking for loved ones.
Soldiers called in as reinforcements
The troops additional were mobilized ". The system of 740 soldiers who provide static surveillance and monitoring of nuclear power plants - in force at level 3 - thus rises in a few hours to almost 1000 throughout the country, with a reinforcement of around 225 personnel, coming from different units. . This makes it possible in particular to ensure the security of stations and metro stations and to reopen most metro lines. And a few hundred soldiers are permanently kept in reserve, ready to come and reinforce the units.
Patrol and Bag Search Powers
The National Security Council has decided to give more powers to the military. Instead of simple static guards, the soldiers thus received the authorization to " patrolling and if necessary checking luggage/bags of ". This always " under the direct command of the police ". But the soldiers are not systematically accompanied by police. These are not far away. Their " physical presence » is to « around the military " and they " are anyway in constant contact ».
(update) OCAM having decided to lower the level of the drop from 4 to 3 (the level it had before the attacks), the current military force will return to 740 men " in the days and weeks to come “as “decided by the National Security Council” on Friday (March 25), specifies the Ministry of Defense.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) The Service for the Removal and Destruction of Explosive Devices (SEDEE) of Oud-
(Update 27.3) with precision elements on the reduction of the threat, the increased powers of the military and details on the role of the military hospital
