Brussels Lockdown: Schools, Metro Reopen In Belgian Capital After 4 Days Amid Security Crackdown

Schools and the metro in the Belgian capital of Brussels resumed operations Wednesday after a four-day hiatus amid a security crackdown in the city, according to reports. Belgian police and soldiers will continue to patrol the streets as Brussels’ maximum security alert will continue until Monday.

Brussels went into lockdown late Friday with closures of the metro, cinemas, shopping malls, cafes and restaurants after the Belgian government received information about a possible Paris-like attack in the city. Some metro lines in the city were expected to remain closed, Sky News reported.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Nov. 13 coordinated attacks in Paris that killed 129 people and injured about 350 others.

Belgian authorities are hunting for Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who fled to Belgium. Some About 300 additional police officers and 200 soldiers will reportedly be deployed to find the suspects.

Meanwhile, a fourth suspect was charged Monday in connection to the Paris attacks, Belgian authorities said, without revealing any name. The suspect was arrested along with 15 other people in a raid Sunday evening. The other 15 were later released, authorities added.

Last week, Mohammed Amri, 27, and Hamza Attou, 20, were charged with assisting Abdeslam. Officials did not reveal the name of a third person charged in Belgium, who was also accused of helping Abdeslam after he entered the country.