Description
Founded in 1959 with the aim of establishing an independent homeland based on
Marxist principles in the northern Spanish Provinces of Vizcaya, Guipuzcoa,
Alava, and Navarra, and the southwestern French Departments of Labourd,
Basse-Navarra, and Soule. Recent Spanish counterterrorism initiatives are
hampering the group’s operational capabilities. Spanish police arrested 123 ETA
members and accomplices in 2002; French authorities arrested dozens more. In
August, a Spanish judge placed a provisional ban on ETA’s political wing,
Batasuna.
Activities
Primarily involved in bombings and assassinations of Spanish Government
officials, security and military forces, politicians, and judicial figures; in
December 2002, however, ETA reiterated its intention to target Spanish tourist
areas. In 2002, ETA killed five persons, including a child, a notable decrease
from 2001’s death toll of 15, and wounded approximately 90 persons. The group
has killed more than 800 persons and injured hundreds of others since it began
lethal attacks in the early 1960s. ETA finances its activities through
kidnappings, robberies, and extortion.
Strength
Unknown; hundreds of members, plus supporters.
Location/Area of Operation
Operates primarily in the Basque autonomous regions of northern Spain and
southwestern France, but also has bombed Spanish and French interests elsewhere.
External Aid
Has received training at various times in the past in Libya, Lebanon, and
Nicaragua. Some ETA members allegedly have received sanctuary in Cuba while
others reside in South America.