Last year saw a reported decrease in the number of threat alerts related to terrorism or extremism compared to 2023, according to Belgium's Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA).
In 2024, there were a total of 287 alerts—a 13% decrease from the previous year’s 332 alerts.
Out of last year's alerts, 213 were found to be linked to terrorism or extremism following an investigation. The alerts were reported by partner agencies such as the Prosecutor’s Office, the Centre for Cybersecurity, or anti-radicalisation officials.
Around 18% of the individuals making these threats were minors. CUTA warned of a noted "rapid radicalisation among minors."
CUTA attributes the drop in alerts to the fact that the surge seen in the last quarter of 2023 did not continue. In October 2023, a serious terrorist attack occurred in Brussels targeting Swedish football supporters, which CUTA had considered a "trigger event" capable of inciting extremists to act.
No threats last year were classified as very serious (level 4). Most were seen as low threats (level 1), with nearly a third (31%) rated as medium (level 2). Approximately 12% were considered serious (level 3) at some point.
Tensions stemming from the ongoing conflict in Gaza remained significant last year.
In terms of ideology, Islamic extremism accounted for 55% of the threat reports, while right-wing extremism and left-wing extremism made up 5% and 1% respectively.
In 9% of cases, the ideological dimension could not be determined, often due to complex motives influenced by ideology, personal grievances, and psychological vulnerabilities.
Despite the reduction in alerts, CUTA maintains that the overall threat level remains at level 3. "The number of threat alerts is just one of many parameters considered in determining the overall threat level," said CUTA’s communications department.
Other factors impacting threat levels include national or international trigger events, geopolitical developments, and incidents both domestically and abroad.
