Since the Paris attacks in 2015 and the 2016 Brussels bombings , soldiers have been on patrol in Brussels . The New York Times reported that Brussels had been " on edge " as a result of previous terrorist attacks , and Reuters reported that " 1,200 soldiers patrol Belgium 's main cities and the country is on its second highest threat level . " The attack took place on the Boulevard Émile Jacqmain , near Brussels central Grand Place , and was being treated by Belgian authorities as a terrorist attack
Paris attacks in 2015
November 2015 Paris attacks
August 2017 Brussels attack