Mar 11
Did ETA give Spain their own “spectacular”?
As I watch Sky News it does bring strong memories of 9/11. There are estimates of over 200 dead and 1247 injured. Unsurprisingly, Aznar is blaming ETA. There are some doubts that they are resposible, and Batsuna (ETA’s Sinn Fein) have blamed it on “Arab resistance fighters.” UPI has a piece on possible Islamo-kazi links, there are some hints that this might true.
If this is ETA, they have changed their tactics. Normally ETA does not target civilians, gives telephone warnings, and does not bomb on this scale. The Spanish goverment is reporting explosives found match the type used by ETA. No doubt the identity of those responsible will become clearer in the coming days and weeks.
As you would expect, Iberian Notes is doing a good job keeping up with the news of this incident.
I know I speak for all of Dodgeblogium’s staff when I express my sincerest sympathies for the families of those who died and were injured, as well as the entire Spanish populace.
Update: Al Queda has claimed responsibility for this attack. Haaretz is reporting that at least one blast was caused by a suicide bomber.
Update II: Paul has posted an extensive overview of the attack. His best friend lives in Madrid, so his interest is personal. Please drop by and give him your sympathy.
Update III: Damian is on this , as you expect.
Update IV: Sky is reporting that at least some of the bombs were detonated by mobile phones and the detonators were not the normal type used by ETA.
Update: V: Paul has a link to reports that five have been arrested, none of whom are Basque.
3 Comments so far
Where terrorists are concerned we should bring back the principle of “Outlaw” removing any civilised restraints on the means of their apprehension.
Actually, Andrew, ETA has targeted civilians quite often.
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