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Raids in Belgium target suspected New Year’s plot amid global security alerts Raids in Belgium target suspected New Year’s plot amid global security alerts
(about 3 hours later)
LONDON — Police in Belgium detained six suspects Thursday in another wave of raids targeting a suspected plot to carry out New Year’s Eve attacks, as security agencies around the world imposed extraordinary measures amid heightened fears after attacks in Paris and California.LONDON — Police in Belgium detained six suspects Thursday in another wave of raids targeting a suspected plot to carry out New Year’s Eve attacks, as security agencies around the world imposed extraordinary measures amid heightened fears after attacks in Paris and California.
From Sydney Harbor to the Rose Bowl parade in California, authorities expanded patrols, blocked off several traditional celebration spots and had security teams operating at some of the highest threat levels.From Sydney Harbor to the Rose Bowl parade in California, authorities expanded patrols, blocked off several traditional celebration spots and had security teams operating at some of the highest threat levels.
Police in Munich evacuated two train stations, urged people to avoid crowds and warned of a possible attack just before midnight.Police in Munich evacuated two train stations, urged people to avoid crowds and warned of a possible attack just before midnight.
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and Munich police chief Hubertus Andrae said German authorities had been tipped off by a foreign intelligence service that the Islamic State terrorist group was planning attacks with five to seven suicide bombers, but so far no arrests had been made.
Despite police warnings, thousands of people were on the streets of Munich at midnight to welcome the new year with fireworks, the Associated Press reported.
In at least two capitals — Ankara and Brussels — officials said they had disrupted plots to strike at New Year’s celebrations that stretch into Friday.In at least two capitals — Ankara and Brussels — officials said they had disrupted plots to strike at New Year’s celebrations that stretch into Friday.
Turkish authorities said their festivities would go ahead as planned, despite the detention of two men suspected of being Islamic State militants planning suicide bombings. But Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur announced late Wednesday that the city had decided to cancel its fireworks celebrations because of a continuing threat.Turkish authorities said their festivities would go ahead as planned, despite the detention of two men suspected of being Islamic State militants planning suicide bombings. But Brussels Mayor Yvan Mayeur announced late Wednesday that the city had decided to cancel its fireworks celebrations because of a continuing threat.
[Authorities claim plots foiled in Turkey, Belgium][Authorities claim plots foiled in Turkey, Belgium]
On Thursday morning, police carried out sweeps in the Belgian capital and a suburb. The operation was an apparent follow-up after two suspects were arrested Tuesday in connection with an alleged plan to carry out bombings during the year-end festivities. At least six others were taken into custody, police said, also noting that computers and mobile phones were seized. Three of those detained Thursday were released.On Thursday morning, police carried out sweeps in the Belgian capital and a suburb. The operation was an apparent follow-up after two suspects were arrested Tuesday in connection with an alleged plan to carry out bombings during the year-end festivities. At least six others were taken into custody, police said, also noting that computers and mobile phones were seized. Three of those detained Thursday were released.
Officials gave no other immediate details on the latest suspects, but the two arrested earlier in the week were part of a motorbike group known as the Kamikaze Riders, whose members are mostly of North African origin and carry out stunts.Officials gave no other immediate details on the latest suspects, but the two arrested earlier in the week were part of a motorbike group known as the Kamikaze Riders, whose members are mostly of North African origin and carry out stunts.
Belgium has been on its highest alert level since the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, whose presumed mastermind, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was Belgian and grew up in the hardscrabble Molenbeek district of Brussels.Belgium has been on its highest alert level since the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, whose presumed mastermind, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was Belgian and grew up in the hardscrabble Molenbeek district of Brussels.
A fireworks show also was called off in Paris, although there was instead a video display at the Arc de Triomphe that Mayor Anne Hidalgo said would send a message: “Paris is standing, proud of its lifestyle and living together.”A fireworks show also was called off in Paris, although there was instead a video display at the Arc de Triomphe that Mayor Anne Hidalgo said would send a message: “Paris is standing, proud of its lifestyle and living together.”
Fireworks displays went ahead in other European cities, but with a much heavier security presence than usual. Vienna police had said that several European cities had been warned of possible New Year’s Eve attacks and that revelers in the Austrian capital would face tighter checks.Fireworks displays went ahead in other European cities, but with a much heavier security presence than usual. Vienna police had said that several European cities had been warned of possible New Year’s Eve attacks and that revelers in the Austrian capital would face tighter checks.
Authorities in Russia and China announced that high-profile gathering places — including Moscow’s Red Square — would be closed for the evening. In India, local news agencies reported a possible New Year’s Eve threat to the country’s Parliament building.Authorities in Russia and China announced that high-profile gathering places — including Moscow’s Red Square — would be closed for the evening. In India, local news agencies reported a possible New Year’s Eve threat to the country’s Parliament building.
[The Belgian links to the Paris rampage][The Belgian links to the Paris rampage]
The precautions reflected a world rattled by the November attacks in Paris, which left 130 people dead, as well as the December killing of 14 people at an office party in San Bernardino, Calif. The Paris attacks are believed to have been directed by the Islamic State, while the group has claimed it inspired the couple that carried out the California killings. The precautions reflected a world rattled by the November attacks in Paris, which left 130 people dead, as well as the December killing of 14 people at an office party in San Bernardino, Calif. The Paris attacks are believed to have been directed by the Islamic State, while the group has claimed it inspired the couple who carried out the California killings.
In Moscow, authorities announced that Red Square — the vast, cobblestone plaza in the shadow of the Kremlin walls — would be closed to the public on New Year’s Eve. While terrorism was not stated explicitly as the reason, the closure was announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service, indicating safety concerns.In Moscow, authorities announced that Red Square — the vast, cobblestone plaza in the shadow of the Kremlin walls — would be closed to the public on New Year’s Eve. While terrorism was not stated explicitly as the reason, the closure was announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service, indicating safety concerns.
City officials later announced that a limited number of people would be allowed on to Red Square by invitation only for a closed event that would be broadcast on Russian television. Traditionally, thousands of Muscovites and many of the city’s migrant workers flock to the square for fireworks and champagne.City officials later announced that a limited number of people would be allowed on to Red Square by invitation only for a closed event that would be broadcast on Russian television. Traditionally, thousands of Muscovites and many of the city’s migrant workers flock to the square for fireworks and champagne.
Russia has been the target of terrorist attacks during the holidays in recent years.Russia has been the target of terrorist attacks during the holidays in recent years.
At one of the main Middle East celebrations — Dubai’s fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building — a massive fire in a nearby luxury hotel sparked fears that terrorism was to blame. But officials opted to proceed with New Year’s festivities.At one of the main Middle East celebrations — Dubai’s fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building — a massive fire in a nearby luxury hotel sparked fears that terrorism was to blame. But officials opted to proceed with New Year’s festivities.
Chinese officials, meanwhile, decided not to go ahead with riverfront celebrations in Shanghai — but apparently for reasons of crowd management, not terrorism fears.Chinese officials, meanwhile, decided not to go ahead with riverfront celebrations in Shanghai — but apparently for reasons of crowd management, not terrorism fears.
It’s the second year running that the festivities have been cancelled, and it comes after a stampede killed 36 people and injured 49 as 300,000 revelers gathered for a fireworks and laser display by the Huangpu River on the final day of 2013. It’s the second year running that the festivities have been canceled, and it comes after a stampede killed 36 people and injured 49 as 300,000 revelers gathered for a fireworks and laser display by the Huangpu River on the final day of 2013.
Murphy reported from Washington. Simon Denyer in Beijing, Rama Lakshmi in New Delhi, Karla Adam in London and Andrew Roth in Moscow contributed to this report.Murphy reported from Washington. Simon Denyer in Beijing, Rama Lakshmi in New Delhi, Karla Adam in London and Andrew Roth in Moscow contributed to this report.
Read more:Read more:
U.S. military: Airstrike kills militant with ties to Paris attackU.S. military: Airstrike kills militant with ties to Paris attack
Al-Qaeda overshadowed but not goneAl-Qaeda overshadowed but not gone
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