Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Protests in Brussels against NATO nuclear drills

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Oct 2022 00:23
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

The Belgian Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons protests against Brussels hosting nuclear exercises on its soil.

  • x
  • F-16 fighter jets take part in the NATO Air Shielding exercise near the airbase in Lask, Poland on October 12, 2022 (Getty Images)
    F-16 fighter jets take part in the NATO Air Shielding exercise near the airbase in Lask, Poland on October 12, 2022 (Getty Images)

The Belgian Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons protested Wednesday in the hundreds at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, against the Western alliance's nuclear exercises dubbed "Steadfast Noon".

"Today, October the 19th, the Belgian Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons demonstrated against the military nuclear exercise 'Steadfast Noon' that is taking place on Belgian territory. The coalition went to the NATO headquarters in Brussels to express their outrage," the organization said in a press release.

Nuclear weapons being present on Belgian soil, as well as the holding of nuclear exercises, was in "explicit violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty", the organization's statement further added.

"At a time of rising international tensions, with in recent weeks repeated threats to use nuclear weapons, conducting a military nuclear exercise is irresponsible and only increases the risk of a confrontation with Russia," the Belgian Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons underlined. 

The organization's members also called on the Belgian government to declare its opposition to NATO holding its Steadfast Noon drills in Belgium while advocating de-escalation and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The Steadfast Noon exercises, taking place in Belgium, over the North Sea, and the United Kingdom from October 17-30, are aimed at testing and bolstering the Western alliance's nuclear deterrence capabilities.

The drills comprise 14 countries and some 60 aircraft of various models and types, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and tanker aircraft.

Related News

Trump approves Patriot missiles to Ukraine, bills EU for costs

Russia slams US-Denmark military pact as threat to its security

NATO claimed that the drills had nothing to do with the ongoing Ukraine war or any other major events. The nuclear exercise is a "routine, recurring training activity and it is not linked to any current world events," the alliance said.

NATO announced last week the launch of the Neptune Strike (NEST 22-2), a multi-domain exercise in the Mediterranean Sea by the alliance's Naval Striking and Support Forces.

According to the alliance, the exercise is expected to be completed by October 28, explaining that the "NEST 22-2 highlights the natural evolution of NATO’s ability to integrate maritime warfare capabilities of a carrier strike group to support Allied defence."

NATO forces will simulate air operations with the participation of land-based fighters, air-to-air refueling tankers, and airborne early warning and control aircraft, the military alliance mentioned.

It is noteworthy that Neptune Strike is the third phase of NATO’s long-planned Project Neptune series, which was elaborated in 2020. Two previous military exercises under this project were conducted in February and May 2022.

Both exercises come at a time where Russia is facing mounting accusations of planning on using nukes against Kiev.

US President Joe Biden doubted last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use a tactical nuclear weapon, as Kiev pleaded for a rapid increase in Western military aid.

This came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that Kiev creates risks associated with the use of weapons of mass destruction, which is also evidenced by the statement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about NATO's "preemptive" strikes on Russia.

Speaking at Australia's Lowy Institute via a video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said NATO should launch "preemptive" strikes on Russia rather than "waiting" for Russia to attack.

  • United States
  • Nato
  • Non-Proliferation
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine
  • Belgium
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS