Majorca bomb blasts: Eta blasts 'a bid to match Islam terror'

ufff the Islamic terror has competition so there is competition everywhere, and Heavens we are gonna have hell of a time worth it here. Mirror

The bombs may have been Eta's attempt to prove its importance as Europe battles Islamic terror, a UK intelligence expert said last night.

The source said: "The fact it happened on an island of such prestigious value to Spain is extremely significant for two reasons.

"First, it's a publicity grabber because of its tourism.

"This is muscle flexing. It is Eta saying, 'We can carry out an attack there and you cannot stop us'.

"But European intelligence services are tied up dealing with Islamic extremism.

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"The timing could be Eta saying, 'Look at us and take us seriously. We are just as big a threat'."

However, Spanish terror expert Rogelio Alonso believes the group - which turned 50 in July - was dealt a severe blow by the arrest of suspected chief Mikel Garikoitz Aspiazu Rubina, 35, in France last November.

Mr Alonso said: "Although they are weakened, it only takes a few people to plant a bomb. So they remain highly dangerous.

"Eta is going to interpret these recent attacks as a show of its own strength.

"But it is a strength that is more fictitious than real."