Spain on red alert as ETA marks its 50th anniversary
ETA, founded by nationalist students inspired by Marxist-Leninist teachings during the reign of right-wing dictator Francisco Franco, has campaigned for five decades for an independent Basque homeland encompassing parts of northern Spain and southwest France.
The militant group, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, has advocated armed struggle since its separatist campaign took a violent turn in 1968. Since then it has been blamed for the deaths of around 850 people. The most recent being the two policemen killed on Thursday in the tourist resort of Palmanova on the western coast of one of Spain's most visited holiday destinations.
With the anniversary approaching, Spanish police had been on alert for increased ETA activity after information was received suggesting the militant group planned to bring three vans packed with explosives into Spain from France.
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The militant group, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, has advocated armed struggle since its separatist campaign took a violent turn in 1968. Since then it has been blamed for the deaths of around 850 people. The most recent being the two policemen killed on Thursday in the tourist resort of Palmanova on the western coast of one of Spain's most visited holiday destinations.
With the anniversary approaching, Spanish police had been on alert for increased ETA activity after information was received suggesting the militant group planned to bring three vans packed with explosives into Spain from France.