By Melike Pala
BRUSSELS (AA) - The US has offered to assist Belgium in its efforts to counter illegal drone activity, joining European allies already supporting the country's anti-drone operations, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said Thursday.
Speaking at the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Francken said Belgium had requested anti-drone support from neighboring countries, according to the Sudinfo news website.
"Germany, the United Kingdom, and France have responded positively and are currently deployed on Belgian territory with specific resources," he said.
The minister added that Washington had also proposed technical and operational assistance.
"We are currently working with them to determine how, where, and when we can best deploy this support," Francken said.
The foreign assistance complements the anti-drone measures approved during Belgium's National Security Council meeting on Nov. 6.
Recent months have seen a series of drone incursions in several European countries, sometimes near airports or military facilities, including over a Belgian military base and an airport last week.
Some European officials have blamed the incidents on Russia, linking them to a hybrid war and the continuing Ukraine conflict. Moscow, however, has firmly denied any involvement.