Netherlands raises terrorism threat level to ‘substantial’

cde.news desk 13 December 2023, 09:00 · 1 min read

epa10887881 A police officer from the special intervention service prepares outside the Erasmus MC Rotterdam hospital on Rochussenstraat, which has been cordoned off after two shooting incidents in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 28 September 2023. An unknown person wearing combat clothing shot at people first in an apartment and after in the hospital, the police announced. EPA-EFE/BAS CZERWINSKI

AMSTERDAM, (Reuters) – The likelihood of a terrorist attack in the Netherlands has increased in recent months, its anti-terrorism agency said as it raised its threat level for the first time since 2019.

The National Coordinator for Counter-terrorism and Security (NCTV), said in a statement it has raised the country’s threat level to 4, or “substantial” on its 5-step scale, citing the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“Organisations like ISIS and Al Qaeda are using the war in Gaza to urge sympathisers to carry out attacks in the West,” the agency said.

“Attacks and arrests in France, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom since early October illustrate the risks posed by radicalised individuals who are inspired by current events and terrorist organisations.”

If the agency had information about a specific attack being planned in the Netherlands it would raise the threat level to five, or “critical”.