(supersedes previous)Italian intelligence sources said in the wake of Tuesday's terror attacks in Brussels that the risk of such attacks in Italy remains high although there are no signs of an imminent action. The so-called Islamic State (ISIS) terror group has claimed responsibility for the Brussels attacks, Russian news agency TASS cited the ISIS-linked Amaq News Agency as saying. An unexploded device and a Kalashnikov rifle were found at Brussels' Zaventem airport, where government officials earlier confirmed 11 were killed and 81 were wounded in a blast.
Separately, Egyptian daily Al Watan's website cited the ISIS-linked Amaq News Agency as saying ISIS "has pledged further operations in Europe" and "stated that the (Brussels) operation was based on high-speed planning and enactment".
Italian intelligence sources said the deadly attacks in Belgium came as no surprise, given that intelligence analysts had indicated a high risk of fresh attacks in Europe in the wake of the November 13 Islamist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgium and France are both at high risk due to their high numbers of radicalized Muslim citizens or residents and the fact that they house EU institutions. The sources said al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorist groups aim for waves of simultaneous attacks in European capitals, requiring long-term planning and military and logistical capabilities. Italy has gotten generic threats but allied intelligence services have given no indication of any imminent, specific threat. All national prefectures and police stations have orders to reinforce security measures at airports, railway stations, subways, and all areas considered at risk.
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