According to reports in the national media, an armed attack was carried out in Brussels' Saint-Gilles district around 02:40 local time at night.

While one person injured in the incident was taken to the hospital, police announced that two suspects had been taken into custody.

This incident was the fourth armed attack carried out in the last 4 days.

Police station had been fired upon

In Brussels' Anderlecht district, too, a police station had been fired upon with a long-barreled weapon on the evening of August 21.

The Brussels South Police Zone had reported that there were no deaths or injuries in the attack and that numerous bullet marks were found on the facade of the police station.

An armed attack had also occurred in Saint Gilles on August 22, and the district's Mayor, Jean Spinette, had announced that one person was injured in the leg and was not in life-threatening condition.

Spinette had stated that the attack might be linked to drug trafficking and that the investigation was ongoing to clarify the incident.

Yesterday morning, around 07:00 local time, shots were also fired in the district, and a bullet hit the window of a house. There were no deaths or injuries in that incident.

Drug-related violence rises in Europe's political center

Brussels, which hosts European Union (EU) institutions, has been grappling with increasing security problems in recent years due to drug trafficking and inter-gang rivalries.

The Port of Antwerp, one of Europe's largest gateways, is among the main hubs for cocaine shipments sent from Latin America to Europe. According to authorities, a significant portion of the drugs entering the country is distributed through networks in and around Brussels.

Deadly rivalries among criminal organizations operating in the capital have recently become one of the most important agenda items for security forces.

Belgian police had recorded 96 armed attacks in Brussels in 2025, most of which were linked to drug trafficking. In these incidents, which occurred consecutively and occupied the agenda for a long time, 8 people had lost their lives.