The Council of Ministers decided to maintain until the beginning of August the deployment of soldiers in large cities as part of the operation “Vigilant Guardian“(OVG) in support of the federal police, despite the wish of the military hierarchy – supported by the Minister of Defense – to see this effort reduced.
“Defense support is maintained at 550 soldiers for a period of one month, from July 3 to August 2, 2020. This number also takes into account a reserve capacity capable of being immediately deployed“, the government said in a statement.
On the proposal of the Ministers of Security and the Interior, Pieter De Crem (CD&V), and of Defense, Philippe Goffin (MR), the Council of Ministers approved the continued deployment of soldiers on the ground, as part of the memorandum of understanding relating to defense support for the integrated police service with a view to ensuring surveillance missions, adds the text.
Threat level maintained at 2
According to the government, the Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM) carried out a new threat analysis on June 16. The threat level is maintained at level 2 (on a scale of four). “A number of potential targets are also maintained at level 3“, specifies the press release.
The soldiers have been present in the streets as well as around nuclear sites – but only still in Flanders – since January 17, 2015, following the attack on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris and the dismantling of a cell jihadist in Verviers.
“Vigilant Guardian“mobilized up to 1,800 soldiers after the attacks of March 22, 2016 at Zaventem airport and in the Maelbeek metro station in Brussels, before experiencing a reduction in staff to 550 maximum – but to some 420 in fact according to the latest figures.
The military hierarchy considers that OVG should ideally only involve 300 to 500 soldiers so as not to harm their training and their social life. Mr. Goffin expressed the wish to end this operation at the end of September.
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