Saturday, August 29, 2026 - Brussels has launched a major security operation against drug trafficking and the violence linked to organised crime, deploying more than 550 security personnel across several high-risk areas.
The operation, carried out on Friday, included police, military personnel and public transport security staff in neighbourhoods including Clémenceau, Yser, Rogier and Hankar. About 70 military personnel took part, marking the first time soldiers were involved in this type of operation in Brussels.
The large-scale crackdown comes as pressure mounts over drug-related violence in the Belgian capital. Authorities conducted checks and arrests during the operation, with eight people detained, mainly over possession of narcotics in quantities considered well above personal use.
The deployment follows a series of shootings and other violent incidents connected to organised drug crime, prompting Belgian authorities to increase police coordination and bring additional security resources onto the streets.
The message from authorities is increasingly urgent: Brussels wants to regain control of public spaces where residents feel threatened by drug-related crime. The government has already approved temporary military support for police operations because of the severity of the security situation, particularly the use of firearms by organised crime groups.
With violence continuing to challenge the capital, the latest deployment signals that Belgian authorities are moving beyond routine policing and are prepared to use every available security resource to disrupt trafficking networks and restore public confidence.
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