Brussels Marks Nine Years Since Deadly 2016 Terror Attacks

Brussels today commemorates the ninth anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Belgium’s history. On 22 March 2016, coordinated suicide bombings at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and Maelbeek metro station claimed the lives of 32 people and left over 340 injured.

The attacks sent shockwaves through Belgium and the wider European community, reinforcing fears of radical Islamist terrorism across the continent.

A City in Mourning

To honour the victims and acknowledge the resilience of the survivors, a series of memorial events will take place across the Belgian capital.

The non-profit organisations ‘We Have the Choice’ and ‘The Constellation’ have organised a solemn gathering in Ixelles to pay tribute to all victims of violence and terrorism.

At 14:00, a symbolic event titled ‘The Big Embrace’ will be held at the Elzenhof community centre, where attendees will unite in mourning. The event will be conducted in Dutch, French, and English to reflect Brussels’ multicultural fabric.

Later in the day, a march for peace will commence at Place Schuman, a key location near European Union institutions, and conclude at Place du Luxembourg.

Participants will then join a musical tribute. Another memorial gathering is scheduled at the Sonian Forest, where a monument stands in remembrance of the victims.

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo led an official ceremony earlier today, joined by victims’ families, first responders, and dignitaries at the memorial site on Rue de la Loi.

“We stand together in remembrance and resilience, ensuring that those we lost will never be forgotten,” De Croo stated.

A Coordinated Terror Attack

The morning of 22 March 2016 began with chaos and devastation as two suicide bombers detonated explosive devices inside Brussels Airport in Zaventem at around 07:58.

An hour later, another suicide bomber struck Maelbeek metro station, a busy transport hub near the European Commission headquarters.

The attacks were quickly claimed by the so-called Islamic State (IS), which was also responsible for the Paris terror attacks in November 2015 that killed 130 people.

Investigators later confirmed that the Brussels attackers were part of the same terror cell that orchestrated the Paris bombings. Their network operated across Belgium and France, using safe houses in Brussels to plan and execute their deadly missions.

Belgium’s Largest Terror Trial

Following years of investigations, Belgium conducted its largest-ever terrorism trial to bring the perpetrators to justice. The criminal proceedings, which began in December 2022 and concluded in September 2023, cost the Belgian government an estimated €35.3 million.

The trial required extensive security measures, including the renovation of the Justitia court complex in Haren and the installation of high-security detention units for the suspects.

A total of eight men were convicted for their roles in the attacks, including Salah Abdeslam, Sofien Ayari, and Osama Krayem. All three had previously been convicted in France for their involvement in the Paris attacks.

Following their sentences in Belgium, Ayari and Krayem were transferred back to French custody in late 2023, while Abdeslam was returned in February 2024 after multiple unsuccessful appeals against his extradition.

Abdeslam, the only surviving perpetrator of the 2015 Paris attacks, remains incarcerated at the high-security Vendin-le-Vieil Penitentiary Centre in Pas-de-Calais, France.

Krayem also faces additional charges in Sweden related to his alleged involvement in the 2014 murder of a Jordanian pilot in Syria.

Among those still serving sentences in Belgium are Mohamed Abrini, Bilal El Makhouki, Ali El Haddad Asufi, and Hervé Bayingana Muhirwa. Muhirwa, sentenced to ten years for participating in a terrorist organisation, is currently eligible for parole, having served almost nine years behind bars.

His lawyer, Vincent Lurquin, has highlighted the challenges in his parole process due to frequent prison transfers, which have hindered his rehabilitation efforts.

Oussama Atar, considered the mastermind of the Brussels attacks, was never captured and is presumed dead, reportedly killed in Syria in 2017.

Lasting Scars and Continued Support for Victims

Despite the convictions, the wounds of 22 March 2016 remain deep for the victims and their families. The attacks left a lasting impact on Brussels, altering its security landscape and leaving psychological scars on survivors.

One of the most tragic cases was that of a female survivor who, in 2022, opted for assisted suicide at the age of 23.

Having narrowly escaped the metro bombing at just 17, she suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, which was deemed incurable by medical professionals. Her story underscored the long-term psychological toll on many survivors.

To date, insurance companies have paid approximately €84 million in compensation to the victims and their families. However, Belgian insurers anticipate an additional €57 million in medical care expenses, disability benefits, and life insurance payouts in the coming years.

Non-profit organisations such as Life4Brussels continue to provide psychological support, legal assistance, and rehabilitation programs for survivors.

The group also engages in counter-radicalisation initiatives, working in schools and local communities to prevent the emergence of future extremists.

A Changed City

The events of 22 March 2016 have reshaped Brussels in profound ways. For years, military personnel patrolled key locations under Operation Vigilant Guardian, a mission initiated to deter further attacks.

Although soldiers were withdrawn from these duties in 2021, heightened police presence and stringent security checks remain a visible part of daily life in the capital.

Certain neighbourhoods of Brussels, such as Molenbeek, have struggled with the stigma of being linked to radical Islam, as several of the attackers grew up there. Community leaders continue to push for social integration and economic opportunities to combat radicalisation.

A Day of Remembrance and Hope

As Brussels marks the ninth anniversary of the attacks, the city remains a symbol of resilience and unity.

Today’s commemorations serve as a reminder of the tragedy, but also as a testament to the strength of those who survived and the collective determination to prevent such horrors from happening again.

In the words of one survivor, speaking at today’s ceremony: “We remember the pain, but we also remember the love and support that followed. That is what carries us forward.”

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members