BASQUE SEPARATISTS AND MALLORCA             

In recent weeks, the popular Spanish resort island of Mallorca has witnessed a series of low-casualty, high-profile bomb incidents. All indications point to the Basque separatist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) as being behind the attacks, one of which left two police officers dead.  SecurAssist would like to call its customers’ attention to ETA efforts in Spain and alert them to the possibility of the group adopting a more dangerous approach in the coming months.  

On July 30, an improvised explosive device (IED) that detonated in Mallorca killed two members of the Guardia Civil, Spain’s paramilitary police; a second, similar device was defused nearby.  ETA, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by both the US and European Union, later took credit for the attack.  Then, on August 9, four smaller bombs exploded at separate locations on the island.  No one was injured in the latter attacks, which were also attributed to the separatist group.

Because of the island’s popularity with international tourists, the Mallorca incidents have received considerable media attention.  August is the height of tourist season and the tourist industry is one of the pillars of Spain’s struggling economy.  It is very likely that the attacks will have some negative economic effect on Mallorca and Spain, as the British, French and German tourists who frequent the Spanish coast and Balearic Islands may decide to vacation elsewhere due to personal safety considerations.

ETA has not traditionally operated on Mallorca, save for a 2005 plot to assassinate Spanish King Juan Carlos I (which was uncovered by Spanish police).  The group has, however, previously orchestrated attacks throughout the Spanish mainland, and there is every indication that such attacks will continue.  For example, on July 29, the day before the explosion that killed the two police officers on Mallorca, ETA bombed a Guardia Civil barracks in the city of Burgos, injuring over 60 persons.

This increased level of activity is likely a result of ETA’s attempts to reassert itself amid waning support in the Basque region.  In recent years, the area has become more ethnically heterogeneous and the Basques as a whole are becoming more politically moderate.  The most obvious example of such transformative trends was the recent election of the Basque Country’s first pro-Spanish president, Socialist Francisco “Patxi” Lopez, who was inaugurated in May 2009.  Lopez is governing with the support of his party’s longtime rival, the conservative Popular Party, in a mutual effort to marginalize the Basque Nationalist Party’s influence on the region and crack down on the illegal activities of the ETA.

Compounding these demographic trends, ETA leadership ranks have thinned as a result of successful law enforcement operations by Spanish and French authorities.  Increasingly marginalized and under pressure, the ETA will likely grow more desperate in an effort to maintain its relevancy in Spanish politics.  While recent years have seen the ETA avoid civilian targets – either by issuing advance warnings or striking in empty buildings or late at night – this could change if ETA leadership deems military or law enforcement targets insufficient to achieving the group’s goals.

SecurAssist advises any of its customers traveling to Spain to be aware of the ETA threat and of any recent ETA activity in or around their destinations.  While travelers’ chances of being impacted by an ETA attack are minimal – and the chances of being injured or killed extremely remote – the group’s geographic reach and the possibility of increasingly radical tactics remain serious issues.  If possible, travelers should keep their distance from police and military barracks, Basque-affiliated political headquarters, and other military, law enforcement and political installations.  Travelers should also avoid empty buildings, especially at odd hours of the morning and evening.  Finally, travelers in all locations should rely on media reports and local law enforcement personnel to stay informed about any potential security threats.

There is no reason to avoid travel to Spain and the vast majority of tourists will enjoy peaceful, relaxing holidays there.  However, if customers would like further information about ETA and recent incidents, we encourage them to get in touch with SecurAssist at any time.