Brussels Suburb Hit by Series of Blasts Linked to Gang Violence, Mayor Calls It “Terrorism”

(SeaPRwire) –   The mayor of Saint-Gilles has requested reinforcements to combat “terrorism”

The mayor of a Brussels suburb has condemned what he called “terrorism” and appealed for backup following a string of explosions connected to gang violence that hit the EU capital this week.

Recent days have seen at least five blasts reported in Saint-Gilles, a bustling Brussels neighborhood that also houses numerous EU officials.

The most recent explosion happened just after midnight on Saturday outside a shisha lounge on Rue Theodore Verhaegen near Barriere de Saint-Gilles. The blast caused damage to the bar and adjacent residences, and broke windows at a school opposite the street. There were no reports of casualties.

Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinette characterized the events as a “war between rival drug families,” urging Interior Minister Bernard Quintin to dispatch immediate support to the Brussels prosecutor’s office and the federal judicial police to safeguard residents at night.

“This is spiraling out of control, with shootings and explosions happening one after another. It’s a genuine plague on the municipality,” he stated, according to local media. He labeled the school attack “shocking,” framing the scenario as “serious organized crime” fueled by rival factions battling for territorial dominance.

“Spreading fear to seize territory – that is terrorism,” he continued.

Brussels has been identified as one of Europe’s capitals most impacted by gun violence, with 96 firearms incidents logged in 2025. In the initial quarter of 2026, at least 22 shootings were documented, leading to several injuries and one fatality.

Public prosecutor Julien Moinil had earlier cautioned that “every Brussels resident and every citizen can be struck by a stray bullet,” advocating for a unified offensive against criminal networks. Federal officials have suggested further steps, such as heightened patrols and broader surveillance in zones associated with drug trafficking.

Brussels is home to many EU institutions, including the European Commission’s headquarters, and is commonly viewed as the bloc’s de facto political capital. The city also hosts NATO headquarters.