Final twist in the story.
The spanish government had spent several days blaming ETA for the bombing as it suited them. It now seems it was Al Qaeda which has caused mass resentment for the government as the people are seeing it as a directly result of spain following bush into Iraq creating new enemies.
The election result is in and its a shock victory for the socialists. It could be the first time a terrorist attack has managed to influence a change of government here.
The bombing comes exactly 2.5 years after 11/9 in america. Probably no significance in that - the US is the only place that uses the mm-dd format for date so to most people its 11-9 anyway. I think the date was chosen more due to proximity to the election than anything else.
My only feeling is its a joint ETA/AQ effort. The MO is that of ETA (same explosive, they tried the same stunt on a small scale before xmas and last week tried a truck bomb) BUT its on a far larger and far more organised scale than seen before off them. I wouldnt be amazed to see more of this - localised terror groups punching above their weight in attacks after being given funding, training and logistical support by major groups like AQ. IE, someone doing their dirty work for them.
On a personal note, ive been to Madrid and used those trains and main railway station that were blown up and i can imagine how chaotic and crowded it would have been there.
Sadly, i dont think its the last terrorist attack western countries, particulary US/UK/Spain is likely to see. The hornets nest theyve opened is going to be very hard to shut down.
The spanish government had spent several days blaming ETA for the bombing as it suited them. It now seems it was Al Qaeda which has caused mass resentment for the government as the people are seeing it as a directly result of spain following bush into Iraq creating new enemies.
The election result is in and its a shock victory for the socialists. It could be the first time a terrorist attack has managed to influence a change of government here.
The bombing comes exactly 2.5 years after 11/9 in america. Probably no significance in that - the US is the only place that uses the mm-dd format for date so to most people its 11-9 anyway. I think the date was chosen more due to proximity to the election than anything else.
My only feeling is its a joint ETA/AQ effort. The MO is that of ETA (same explosive, they tried the same stunt on a small scale before xmas and last week tried a truck bomb) BUT its on a far larger and far more organised scale than seen before off them. I wouldnt be amazed to see more of this - localised terror groups punching above their weight in attacks after being given funding, training and logistical support by major groups like AQ. IE, someone doing their dirty work for them.
On a personal note, ive been to Madrid and used those trains and main railway station that were blown up and i can imagine how chaotic and crowded it would have been there.
Sadly, i dont think its the last terrorist attack western countries, particulary US/UK/Spain is likely to see. The hornets nest theyve opened is going to be very hard to shut down.
