Officials are worried about possible New Year celebrations plots
Image: EPA
Across Europe, in major cities and towns, public festivities and firework displays have either been cancelled or the security extremely tightened. Cities like London, Brussels, Paris and Ankara are on high alert. In fact, in Turkey, security officers say that they have already reiterated a master plot to attack celebrations. As a result, safety measures have been stepped up, especially after earlier this week, the Austrian claim to have received a fair warning from ‘friendly intelligence agencies’ that European capitals were at risk during the holiday week.
While Belgium has been on end ever since some of the perpetrators of the November 13th Paris attacks were found to have base in the country, its anti-terror efforts in the last week have seized military and tech material from two suspects harbouring an alliance with the Islamic State (IS) propaganda, who were arrested this week, after being found to have plans to attack festivities. Brussels, which saw an influx of around 100,000 people for celebrations in the last holiday season, has cancelled its plans to hold public New Year festivities. According to Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Michel, ‘the decision had been taken given the information we have received’. The Mayor of Brussels, Mayor Yvan Mayeur, commented, “In these circumstances, we can’t check everyone.”
Meanwhile, in Paris, the annual New Year firework display has been aborted. Keeping in mind traditions, the gathering at Champs-Elysees will continue, but with stringent security in place. The spectacle at L’Arc de Triomphe has been shortened and the screening has been limited to certain equidistant areas to prevent large crowding. Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, quoted,” We have decided to mark the New Year in a reflective manner and without fanfare,” referring to the Paris bombing and shooting on November 13th, wherein 130 people lost their lives; at least one of the attackers is absconding, although the US Military has affirmed that IS militants in Iraq and Syria who were plotting further attacks have been killed in air strikes last month.
At the same time, Turkish authorities have taken two suspected IS terrorists into custody. They reportedly entered through Syria and were planning two separate lone wolf attacks, of which the police discovered suicide vests and bombs in their premises. This came even as the country recovers from the double bombing in Ankara in October that killed over 100 people. As per Turkish security agencies, the IS was behind the attacks, although neither the IS or any other terrorist group claim responsibility for the explosions. Istanbul is also on red alert, where police forces are planning to deploy officers in disguises like that of Father Christmas.
In Eastern Europe, London is planning to place nearly 3,000 more security officers, alongside extra-armed forces in the inner parts of the city, where at least 100,000 people are expected to attend the Mayor’s fireworks. An armed force spokesperson said, “Our plans are purely precautionary and not as a result of any specific intelligence.”
On the other hand, at the ‘fan mile’ opposite Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, no backpacks or fireworks will be permitted. At a place where almost a million people are expected to arrive to welcome the New Year, the Interior minister has urged the people to not lose the festive spirit by succumbing to fear. Said Frank Henkel,” Caution is a good counsellor, fear is not.” The Brandenburg Gate has remained closed ever since Christmas.
In North Asia, Moscow will seal the Red Square completely, a location where hundreds of thousands of people count down to the New Year. Moreover, places under no direct threat from attack are also restricting public gatherings for the New Year.
In what may prove to be a rather mellowed holiday season for many, precaution has definitely come to the forefront from of all national resolutions all over the world. The question is: is the fear worth it?
Source: BBC
