Religious extremist actor
Jihadist Salafism endorses the use of violence and military action to impose the faith. Terrorist acts against the enemies of Islam are also authorised by this variant.
Note: a perpetrator or actor doesn't have causes or effects, but motives and methods. Therefore, the causes and effects listed here should be interpreted accordingly.
Risks and causes
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What can you do?
There are no specific recommendations for this risk.
Check out our general advice to follow before, during, and after an emergency.
Religious extremists can spread false information. Be critical of the information you read online. Read tips here on how to deal with misleading information.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe an extreme religious extremist actor. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- These are the groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
- These terrorist organisations actively plan, carry out and incite attacks in Western countries or against Western interests in the countries where they operate.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Moderate
Human impact
Weak
Societal impact
Weak
Environmental impact
Very weak
Financial impact
Weak
What do the authorities do?
Various public partners and security services work together on a daily basis in the fight against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, for example the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA), State Security, the Federal Police, the General Intelligence and Security Service, Defence, etc.
They exchange information, implement the strategy to combat terrorism and extremism, including the radicalisation process (T.E.R. strategy), and cooperate with foreign intelligence services.
CUTA also provides ad hoc and strategic threat assessments on a scale of 1 to 4.
- Level 1 - the threat is low
- Level 2 - the threat is moderate
- Level 3 - the threat is serious
- Level 4 - the threat is very serious
Based on these analyses, visible and less visible precautionary and protective measures are taken to protect the population, individuals and important institutions
In the event of a terrorist attack or hostage-taking, Belgium has a national emergency plan. Such an attack or hostage-taking generally has a national impact and requires an immediate response. For security reasons, the contents of the emergency plan have not been made public.