Brussels New Year fireworks cancelled over attack fears

Four of the Islamic extremists who killed 130 people in multiple terrorist attacks in Paris in November were from Belgium.

Two people have been arrested in Belgium on suspicion of planning attacks in Brussels during the holidays, the federal prosecutor’s office said Tuesday. The private NTV news channel, quoting security sources, said the men detained in Ankara on Wednesday had “frequently” moved in and out of Syria, but that security officials had been monitoring their movements for the past month.

The alleged plot comes after a clampdown by police on suspected Islamists, including this month’s arrest of an alleged member of the IS group suspected of planning a suicide attack on the United States consulate in Istanbul.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo told a French publication that France needs its symbolic passage into the new year, to “send a signal to the world” as it continues to recover from the attacks.

A series of house raids in Belgium have put six people in custody who are suspected of being involved with a plot to carry out a terrorist plot during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Brussels. Abdeslam’s brother Brahim was also one of the suicide bombers in Paris.

In the raids in Brussels and other towns police seized propaganda for the so-called Islamic State group, as well as military clothing and computer equipment.

In Paris a New Year fireworks display has been abandoned, but the traditional gathering on the Champs-Elysees will take place amid tight security.

“In these circumstances, we can’t check everyone”, Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur said.

The arrested suspects, whose names have not been released by authorities, were detained following searches in Brussels and other areas of Belgium.

Moscow’s Red Square, where people typically gather to ring in the new year, will be closed to party-goers.