Belgian police arrest two for planning New Year's terror attack

Two terror suspects arrested for planning Brussels attack over New Year's. Prosecutors say no connection to Paris attack.

Counterterror op in Belgium (file)
Reuters

Police in Belgium have arrested two people for allegedly planning to carry out terror attacks on New Year's Eve. They intended to strike police and "symbolic targets" in Brussels, according to Belgian news reports.

[ltr]The suspects were arrested on Sunday and Monday, as security forces raided homes in Brussels, as well as in the Brabant and Liege provinces. Police say that they found propaganda and military clothing, but did not uncover any weapons.[/ltr]

One suspect is believed to have recruited new terrorists and led a cell of his own.
According to prosecutors, this incident is not connected to last month's ISIS attack in Paris, though the two possessed ISIS propaganda.

Belgium, though a relatively small country, hosts the European Union and NATO headquarters. Authorities have increased their anti-terror precautions since the Paris attack, particularly because it is believed that several of the terrorists were based in Belgium.