Who Did the 2004 Madrid Bombings?

By Michael Ferguson

The 2004 Madrid bombings were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred on the morning of March 11, 2004, in the Spanish capital city of Madrid. The bombings resulted in the deaths of 191 people and injured more than 2,000 individuals.

What Happened?

The attacks were carried out by a group of Islamic extremists who used ten bombs packed with shrapnel and dynamite. The bombs were placed in backpacks and left on four commuter trains during rush hour.

The Investigation

The Spanish authorities immediately launched an investigation into the attacks. Within hours, they found a van near Alcalá de Henares, a town located east of Madrid, containing detonators and an audiotape with Islamic verses.

The Suspects

Soon after, the authorities identified a group of Moroccan men as suspects. They had ties to an al-Qaeda cell based in Spain. The group was led by a man named Serhane ben Abdelmajid Fakhet, also known as “The Tunisian.”

The Trials

In 2007, Fakhet was killed along with six other members of his cell in a suicide bombing as they tried to avoid arrest by the police. However, many other members were arrested and put on trial for their involvement in the attacks.

In October 2007, twenty-one people were found guilty and sentenced to various prison terms for their role in the bombings. Three of them received sentences of over forty years.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it was clear that the 2004 Madrid bombings were carried out by Islamic extremists with ties to al-Qaeda. The attacks shocked not just Spain but also the world. It brought attention to the threat posed by terrorism and highlighted the need for greater cooperation between countries to combat this global menace.