Highlights
– ETA founded in 1959, aim to establish an independent ethnic Basque homeland
– Operates primarily in northern Spain and southwestern France
– Has received external aid from as far away as Libya, Lebanon, and Nicaragua
– Secretive separatist, turned terrorist organization
The Basque nationalist turned terrorist organization, Euzkadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), or Basque Fatherland and Liberty, was founded in 1959 with the goal of establishing an independent homeland for Basque people in Spain. Primarily based on Marxist principles, ETA based its operations in the northern Spanish provinces of Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa, Alava, and Navarra. In recent years, ETA has expanded its operations base to include portions of southwest France and the border areas of Portugal .
Suffering under the harsh control of Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco, ETA formed as a student-led resistance movement fervently opposed to Franco’s military dictatorship. Under the strict rule of Franco, the Basque language, in addition to a distinct culture, was outwardly suppressed, resulting in the imprisonment and subsequent torture of intellectuals and members of the professional societal elite.
Representing a portion if Spain’s ethnic Basque citizenry, ETA, emerged as a celebrated defender of people’s rights. However, following a lengthy history of unending violence, Spanish citizens have turned against the nationalist group. In December 2001 the European Union (EU) declared the group a terrorist organization, marking the first time all 15 EU members labeled ETA as such, and signifying a diplomatic victory for Spain.
Timeline of Attacks
As a result of nearly four decades of the fight for independence, ETA has waged numerous attacks against members of the ruling Spanish government, civil guard, police, and in some cases, Spanish citizenry. A few of the most notable and infamous attacks include,
• 2008: ETA assassinates former town councilman, Isaias Carrasco, two days before Spanish national elections are set to occur
• 2006: ETA detonates bomb in Madrid Barajas airport, kills two, results in end of 15-month ceasefire
• 2004: ETA blamed for Madrid bombings, later attributed to Islamist extremists
• 2003: 12 tourists injured in bombing of hotel, attack signals return of summer campaign of violence
• 2000: Car bombs detonate in Madrid and Basque capital Vitoria, signals return to violent campaign following 15-month ceasefire
• 1997: ETA kidnaps and kills Basque councilor Miguel Angel Blanco, sparking national outrage in Spanish streets
• 1973: ETA assassinates Spanish Prime Minister (PM) Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco in Madrid, members claim attack is in retaliation for government’s execution of fellow Basque nationalists
• 1968: ETA kills first victim, assassinating Spanish secret police chief, Meliton Manzanas, in San Sebastian
ETA Post Madrid Bombings
Following the March 11, 2004, Madrid train bombings, ETA-waged attacks decreased slightly . In the immediate aftermath of the terror attacks, Spain’s ruling Popular Party, accused ETA of conducting the attacks. Despite repeatedly dismissing these accusations, and eventually being absolved of blame for the attacks, ETA suffered from an internal dissent, and further questioning of the benefits of violence as a means to establishing an independent homeland.
To this end, for a short time, ETA-waged attacks declined in the wake of the Madrid bombings. However, these gains were soon lost as the group soon executed a number of improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, resulting in no deaths.
The group finally declared a cease fire in 2006, however that soon failed as a deadly bombing in an underground parking garage in Madrid’s Barajas International Airport killed two and resulted in the government calling off the 15-month ceasefire .
Strength, Operations, and Support
In nearly four decades of war with the ruling Spanish government, ETA has killed upwards of 800 persons and injured scores of others. Operating primarily in Basque autonomous regions, ETA enjoys support from like-minded organizations around the globe, receiving aid from as far away as Libya, Nicaragua, and Lebanon.
At an estimated 50-200 members, ETA has received training, monetary aid, and at times, sanctuary for its members from nation’s across the globe. As we previously reported, suspected ETA members have been detained and arrested in Canada and Mexico (Previous Report). The recent arrests of ETA militants in North America warrant significant concern as they indicate ETA’s ability to re-locate and network globally. Specifically, ETA militants have demonstrated their ability to acquire false identification documents for the purpose of traveling overseas.
However despite its global reach, in the wake of renewed ETA –inspired violence in the Basque region, public support for the independence movement continues to decrease. Although pro-Basque independence supporters reside in the country, they may not be an effective force to combat conflicting opinions.
Moreover, Basque residents continue to grow weary of ETA’s violent and to date, unsuccessful, attempts to separate the region from Spain and establish an independent homeland. Additionally, as police forces continue to ramp up anti-terrorism tactics and effectively prompt increased ETA retaliation, public opinion of both sides will likely wane.
