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 Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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