UK sends troops and gear to Belgium after mysterious drone sightings shut airports

The United Kingdom is sending military equipment and personnel to Belgium after a string of mysterious drone sightings forced temporary closures at two major airports, officials confirmed Sunday.

Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton told the BBC that the UK had begun “deploying our people, our equipment to Belgium to help them,” following a direct request from Brussels. “We don’t know – and the Belgians don’t yet know – the source of those drones,” he said, offering no specifics on troop numbers or equipment.

The incidents have disrupted flights at both Brussels’ main international hub and Liege, one of Europe’s largest cargo airports. The latest shutdown at Liege lasted 30 minutes on Sunday before operations resumed. Unidentified drones were also spotted near a US military base in Belgium that reportedly stores nuclear weapons.

With similar incidents reported in Sweden, Denmark and Germany in recent months, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the incursions are meant to “sow division” in Europe.