3-11 Madrid train bombings
Attack
| Event Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Primary Organization | 3-11 Madrid train bombers | |
| Other Organization | Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group | |
 | Other Organization | Al-Qaeda | |
| Location | Madrid, Spain | |
| Time | March 11, 2004 | |
| Victim Deaths | 191 | ||
| Victim Injuries | 1,700 | ||
| Participants | Allekema Lamari (Operational Commander) 1, Serhane ben Abdelmajid Fakhet (Operational Commander) 1, Jamal Ahmidan (Organizer) 1, Mohammed Oulad Akcha1, Rachid Oulad Akcha1, Abdennabi Koujaa1, Asri Rifaat Anouar1 | |
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| Narrative and Notes | |||
| Reliable | On March 11, 2004, 10 bombs detonated on four commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people and injuring at least 1,700. The government, three days away from a major election, quickly pointed fingers at the ETA, the Basque separtist movement, who had not previously conducted an operation of this magnitude. Later, the government backtracked as it became apparent militants affiliated with the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group were responsible. The pro-Bush adminstation government fell in the elections, prompting a withdrawal of Spanish troops from the Iraq occupation. From a terrorist perspective, the attacks can be seen as successful, as they seemed to prompt a change in Spain's national policy. On April 3, 2004, Spanish police closed in on an apartment containing seven key suspects. One of them detonated some explosives, killing all seven as well as a police officer. Others were arrested and went on trial in early 2007. The event is referred to as "11-M" in Spain. | |
| Questionable | It remains unclear if al-Qaeda's formal command structure had any role or foreknowledge of the attacks. | |
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| Sources | |||
| 1Press release, Spanish Ministry of Interior. | |||
| Photo: Spanish Ministry of Interior | |||
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| Page maintained by John Lumpkin | |||
| Click here for a disclaimer and detailed explanation of the confidence ratings. | |||
