Key Facts
- Start date
- 16 January 2015
- End date
- 1 April 2021
- Duration
- 6 years (2015–2021)
- Brussels lockdown period
- 21–26 November 2015
- Original codename
- Homeland
Strategic Narrative Overview
Originally codenamed Homeland, the operation was significantly reinforced following the Paris attacks of 13 November 2015, which prompted the Belgian government to declare an absolute emergency in the Brussels area from 21 to 26 November. The Brussels bombings of 22 March 2016 triggered a further strengthening of the deployment. Soldiers guarded transport hubs, public buildings, and other sensitive locations throughout the operation's duration.
01 / The Origins
The operation was triggered by the January 2015 Île-de-France attacks and the simultaneous dismantling of a jihadist cell in Verviers, Belgium, where security forces foiled imminent attacks. Belgian authorities judged the domestic terrorist threat severe enough to deploy military personnel to guard sensitive sites — a measure not seen since World War II — marking a sharp escalation in the country's counter-terrorism posture.
03 / The Outcome
The operation formally concluded on 1 April 2021. However, the threat environment did not fully abate; following the 2023 Brussels attack, Belgium's crisis centre called for continued vigilance and ordered increased visible police presence on 17 October 2023. The operation demonstrated Belgium's willingness to integrate military assets into domestic security in response to sustained terrorism risk.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent