Huge scale of Madrid terrorist attack becoming clear

Today’s terrorist attacks in Madrid have caused almost 200 deaths and 1,000 injuries. According to the BBC, a series of coordinated explosions occurred at three railway stations, Atocha, El Pozo and Santa Eugenia, during the morning rush hour. Madrid has been in chaos, with severe business continuity issues for companies based in the city. Global stock markets have reacted badly to the attack, with sharp falls taking place.

Although ETA (the Basque Fatherland and Liberty terrorist group) is the Spanish government’s sole suspect, the leader of the banned Basque nationalist political party Batasuna stated unequivocally that ETA was not involved, pointing the finger at "an operation by sectors of the Arab resistance," raising the spectre of an al Qaeda link. (Source: Ananova)

ETA itself has yet to issue a communiqué and no other group has claimed responsibility. The imminent Spanish general election is being cited as a factor which points towards ETA involvement, however the coordinated nature of the attack, the lack of a warning and the high loss of civilian life have more of an al Qaeda hallmark.

•Date: 11th March 2004 •Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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