Belgians are observing three-days of national mourning following the Brussels suicide attacks of Tuesday in which 34 people died.
Belgian police sources say two brothers, Khalid and Brahim el-Bakroui carried out Tuesday’s March 22 suicide bombings in Brussels in which 34 people were killed, BBC reported citing local media reports. Investigations still continue to have more suspects.
Broadcaster RBTF reportedly quoted a police source as saying Brahim was a suicide bomber at Zaventem Airport. Twin explosions there killed about 14 people. It also said Khalid was the suicide bomber at the Maelbeek metro station, where about 20 people died. Yesterday, anti-terror police also carried out a raid in the Anderlecht area of the city, making at least one arrest. Authorities however, withdrew earlier reports that the man held was wanted suspect Najim Laachraoui. So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind the attacks and warned that more would follow.
The two suspected brothers, RTBF said were known to police and had criminal records. Khalid el-Bakraoui, 27, had used a false name to rent the flat in the Forest area of the Belgian capital where police killed a gunman in a shootout last week. Khalid el-Bakraoui is on the Interpol website. He is reportedly being sought for terrorist activities. The local media reportedly said that Khalid was jailed in 2011 for carjacking while Brahim, 30, was jailed in October 2010 for firing at police. Brahim el-Bakraoui is believed to be in the middle of a CCTV image taken at Zaventem airport before the attacks and released by police. Federal prosecutors have not commented on the latest reports but said they would provide more information.
The international community has been showing compassion to the Belgians for the tragic incident. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls paid a condolence visit to Brussels on March 23. While welcoming his French counterpart, the Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said, "Europe's destiny is peace and security". Expressing the determination of the Belgian government he said, "We are more determined than ever to act in the face of enemies of democracy." Belgium is said to have raised its terrorism alert to the highest level. Zaventem Airport will remain closed today, March 24.
