Raids in Brussels target Paris suicide bomber’s ‘entourage’

Authorities have begun six raids in Brussels, which are connected to one of the suicide bombers in last Friday’s terror attacks. An official has said the ongoing operation - mainly in Molenbeek - is targeting the “entourage” of Bilal Hadfi (pictured) who detonated an explosives belt outside the Stade de France. Prosecutors say his family and friends are among those being sought out in the raids. Hadfi has been dubbed the “baby-faced terrorist” following his attack on the stadium as France played Germany in a friendly match. One of three suicide bombers on the Stade de France, the 20-year-old has been described as a difficult and cold child whose retreat into Islamic extremism intensified as his father died of cancer.

Well at school he caused problems, he used to steal cars and threaten people…and then, when he became either 18 or 19, he travelled to Syria.

Neighbour of Bilal Hadfi in Brussels

A French national, Hadfi has reportedly fought in Syria alongside IS and had been living in Belgium since. Belgium’s security services have been facing criticism following the coordinated attacks in the French capital, which killed 129 people, as at least two of the attackers were from Brussels. There is uncertainty whether the alleged mastermind of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, was killed during a deadly siege at a flat in the northern suburb of Saint Denis yesterday - or whether he was even in the building at the time. French authorities are trying to confirm the identities of the two suspected jihadists who died during the standoff.

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