Spain:
Barcelona Attack Was Preventable
by Soeren
KernAugust 22, 2017 at 5:00 am
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§ The measures to place bollards or planters in public
areas were never implemented in Barcelona because the leaders of the Catalan
independence movement did not want to be seen as taking orders from the central
government in Madrid.
areas were never implemented in Barcelona because the leaders of the Catalan
independence movement did not want to be seen as taking orders from the central
government in Madrid.
§ Far more difficult to explain is why no one reported
suspicious activity at the chalet.
suspicious activity at the chalet.
§ Although some Catalans are having second thoughts about
the wisdom of promoting Muslim mass immigration as a strategy to achieve
Catalan independence, at least 10,000 Catalans with links to the separatist
movement have actually converted to Islam in recent years..
the wisdom of promoting Muslim mass immigration as a strategy to achieve
Catalan independence, at least 10,000 Catalans with links to the separatist
movement have actually converted to Islam in recent years..
As details emerge of the August 17 jihadist attack in Barcelona,
the evidence points to one overarching conclusion: the carnage could have been
prevented if a series of red flags had not been either missed or ignored.
the evidence points to one overarching conclusion: the carnage could have been
prevented if a series of red flags had not been either missed or ignored.
The failure to heed intelligence warnings, enhance physical
security and report suspicious activity are all factors that facilitated the
attack, which had been in the planning stage for more than six months.
security and report suspicious activity are all factors that facilitated the
attack, which had been in the planning stage for more than six months.
The attack was also enabled by the idiosyncrasies of Spanish
politics, especially the tensions that exist between the central government and
the leaders of the independence movement in Catalonia, the autonomous region of
which Barcelona is the capital.
politics, especially the tensions that exist between the central government and
the leaders of the independence movement in Catalonia, the autonomous region of
which Barcelona is the capital.
Failure to Install Bollards on Las Ramblas
The Barcelona attack could have been prevented had municipal
officials complied with an order to install bollards, vertical poles designed
to prevent car ramming attacks, on the Rambla, the city's main tourist
thoroughfare.
officials complied with an order to install bollards, vertical poles designed
to prevent car ramming attacks, on the Rambla, the city's main tourist
thoroughfare.
On December 20, 2016, one day after a Tunisian jihadist drove a
truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 56,
Spanish National Police issued a circular ordering all central, regional and
municipal police departments in Spain to "implement physical security
measures to protect public spaces" to prevent jihadist attacks "in
places with high numbers of people." The circular advised:
truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 56,
Spanish National Police issued a circular ordering all central, regional and
municipal police departments in Spain to "implement physical security
measures to protect public spaces" to prevent jihadist attacks "in
places with high numbers of people." The circular advised:
"Municipalities should protect these public spaces by
temporarily installing large planters or bollards at access points to hinder or
prevent the entry of vehicles."
temporarily installing large planters or bollards at access points to hinder or
prevent the entry of vehicles."
The measures were never implemented in Barcelona because the
leaders of the Catalan independence movement did not want to be seen as taking
orders from the central government in Madrid.
leaders of the Catalan independence movement did not want to be seen as taking
orders from the central government in Madrid.
After receiving the directive, Catalan autonomous police, known as
the Mossos d'Esquadra, accused the central government of "alarmism"
and insisted that it would not order municipalities in Catalonia to implement
this "indiscriminate measure." The Mossos also claimed to have the
jihadist threat under control, that local police were trained to "detect
symptoms or radicalization," and that there were "no concrete
threats."
the Mossos d'Esquadra, accused the central government of "alarmism"
and insisted that it would not order municipalities in Catalonia to implement
this "indiscriminate measure." The Mossos also claimed to have the
jihadist threat under control, that local police were trained to "detect
symptoms or radicalization," and that there were "no concrete
threats."
After the Barcelona attack, Deputy Mayor Gerardo Pisarello blamed the absence of bollards on the Catalan Interior
Ministry. "The City of Barcelona has never refused to install bollards.
Whenever it has been requested, we have done so," Pisarello said. Ada
Colau, Barcelona's leftwing mayor, however, has repeatedly refused to
"fill Barcelona with barriers," insisting that it must remain "a
city of liberty."
Ministry. "The City of Barcelona has never refused to install bollards.
Whenever it has been requested, we have done so," Pisarello said. Ada
Colau, Barcelona's leftwing mayor, however, has repeatedly refused to
"fill Barcelona with barriers," insisting that it must remain "a
city of liberty."
El Periódico de Catalunya, a paper based in
Barcelona, elaborated:
Barcelona, elaborated:
"The total absence of police collaboration between the Mossos
d'Esquadra, which is the police force deployed on the ground, and the National
Police and the Civil Guard translates into huge security deficiencies. The
relationship between police forces — influenced by the political situation — is
terrible and, in the case of the Mossos and the National Police, it is open
war.
d'Esquadra, which is the police force deployed on the ground, and the National
Police and the Civil Guard translates into huge security deficiencies. The
relationship between police forces — influenced by the political situation — is
terrible and, in the case of the Mossos and the National Police, it is open
war.
"The result is that the information services of the Mossos,
on the one hand, and those of the National Police and the Civil Guard, on the
other, do not exchange information. The cooperation is reduced to the personal
relationships of individual agents who, without the knowledge of their
superiors, exchange information and put safety first."
on the one hand, and those of the National Police and the Civil Guard, on the
other, do not exchange information. The cooperation is reduced to the personal
relationships of individual agents who, without the knowledge of their
superiors, exchange information and put safety first."
On August 19, hours after the jihadist attack in Barcelona,
Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido repeated that it would be "appropriate" for all
municipalities to comply with the December circular. His ministry issued a new
letter calling on municipalities to install safety measures in the neuralgic
points of cities. It remains to be seen if Catalan officials will now implement
the recommendations.
Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido repeated that it would be "appropriate" for all
municipalities to comply with the December circular. His ministry issued a new
letter calling on municipalities to install safety measures in the neuralgic
points of cities. It remains to be seen if Catalan officials will now implement
the recommendations.
Too little, too late. Police officers line the street on Las Ramblas on August 18, 2017, near the scene of the previous day's terrorist attack in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) |
Failure to Heed Warnings
In June, the CIA reportedly warned Catalan police that Barcelona
was being targeted by jihadists: "Two months ago the Central Intelligence
Agency warned Catalan police of a threat to Las Ramblas," according to El Periódico.
was being targeted by jihadists: "Two months ago the Central Intelligence
Agency warned Catalan police of a threat to Las Ramblas," according to El Periódico.
Additionally, on June 30, two weeks before the Barcelona attack, a
Twitter account associated with the Islamic State warned of an impending attack against al-Ándalus,
the Arabic name given to those parts of Spain, Portugal and France occupied by
Muslim conquerors from 711 to 1492. Many jihadists believe that territories
Muslims lost during the Christian Reconquest of Spain still belong to the realm
of Islam and that Islamic law gives them the right to re-establish Muslim rule
there.
Twitter account associated with the Islamic State warned of an impending attack against al-Ándalus,
the Arabic name given to those parts of Spain, Portugal and France occupied by
Muslim conquerors from 711 to 1492. Many jihadists believe that territories
Muslims lost during the Christian Reconquest of Spain still belong to the realm
of Islam and that Islamic law gives them the right to re-establish Muslim rule
there.
It remains unclear why Catalan authorities failed to increase
security in light of the warnings and threats. El Periódico wrote:
security in light of the warnings and threats. El Periódico wrote:
"In recent years Barcelona has become a city known all over
the planet. Both because of its attraction as a tourist destination and because
of the media impact of the Barça football club, the Catalan capital is a world
icon. In the eyes of the jihadists, that makes it a priority objective, as they
seek to attack sites that generate a great impact at the international level.
the planet. Both because of its attraction as a tourist destination and because
of the media impact of the Barça football club, the Catalan capital is a world
icon. In the eyes of the jihadists, that makes it a priority objective, as they
seek to attack sites that generate a great impact at the international level.
However, neither the authorities nor the citizens seems to have
realized that their city is on the same list of targets as other major cities
such as New York, Paris, London or Madrid."
realized that their city is on the same list of targets as other major cities
such as New York, Paris, London or Madrid."
Failure to Report Suspicious Activity
The jihadists prepared for the Barcelona attack at a chalet in the
beachfront town of Alcanar, situated 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of
Barcelona. A year ago, the terror cell "occupied" the property, which
was foreclosed and had been vacant. Squatters are protected by Spanish law, so
it is common for youth in Catalonia to take over vacant
properties. This may explain why neighbors did not contact the police.
beachfront town of Alcanar, situated 200 kilometers (120 miles) south of
Barcelona. A year ago, the terror cell "occupied" the property, which
was foreclosed and had been vacant. Squatters are protected by Spanish law, so
it is common for youth in Catalonia to take over vacant
properties. This may explain why neighbors did not contact the police.
Far more difficult to explain is why no one reported suspicious
activity at the chalet. During the course of several months, the jihadists
collected more than 100 large gas canisters, which investigators believe were
to be used as car bombs. An explosion on August 16, the night before the
Barcelona attack, leveled the property.
activity at the chalet. During the course of several months, the jihadists
collected more than 100 large gas canisters, which investigators believe were
to be used as car bombs. An explosion on August 16, the night before the
Barcelona attack, leveled the property.
Investigators later found traces of the
explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP), also known as the "Mother of
Satan," a substance widely used by members of the Islamic State in Europe.
explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP), also known as the "Mother of
Satan," a substance widely used by members of the Islamic State in Europe.
Failure to Follow-Up on Leads
Police found the remains of at least two people in the rubble of
the Alcanar chalet. The head of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Josep Lluís
Trapero, confirmed that one of the bodies was that of Abdelbaki
Es-Satti, a Muslim cleric who is suspected of organizing the terror cell and
radicalizing its members.
the Alcanar chalet. The head of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Josep Lluís
Trapero, confirmed that one of the bodies was that of Abdelbaki
Es-Satti, a Muslim cleric who is suspected of organizing the terror cell and
radicalizing its members.
Es-Satti, a Moroccan national who lived in the Catalan town of
Ripoll, served in a local mosque. He was a convicted drug trafficker who had
spent four years at a prison in Valencia, where he is believed to have met
Rachid Aglif, known as "The Rabbit," one of the main plotters of the
2004 Madrid bomb attacks that killed 192 people and wounded 2,000. Police are
now looking into whether Es-Satti was involved in the ISIS attacks on the
Brussels airport and metro in 2016.
Ripoll, served in a local mosque. He was a convicted drug trafficker who had
spent four years at a prison in Valencia, where he is believed to have met
Rachid Aglif, known as "The Rabbit," one of the main plotters of the
2004 Madrid bomb attacks that killed 192 people and wounded 2,000. Police are
now looking into whether Es-Satti was involved in the ISIS attacks on the
Brussels airport and metro in 2016.
Ali Yassine, the director of the mosque in Ripoll, said that he
had reported Es-Satti to local police more than a year ago as part of a
security protocol to monitor Muslim preachers. Authorities did not place him on
a watch list, however, even though he had been convicted of trafficking drugs
and violating Spanish immigration laws.
had reported Es-Satti to local police more than a year ago as part of a
security protocol to monitor Muslim preachers. Authorities did not place him on
a watch list, however, even though he had been convicted of trafficking drugs
and violating Spanish immigration laws.
Catalan Migration Policy Fuels Radicalization
Catalonia not only has the highest Muslim population in Spain, it
is also one of the most Islamized regions of the country. Catalonia has 7.5
million inhabitants, including an estimated510,000 Muslims, who account for around 7% of the
total Catalan population. In some Catalan towns, however, the Muslim population
is above 40% of the overall population.
is also one of the most Islamized regions of the country. Catalonia has 7.5
million inhabitants, including an estimated510,000 Muslims, who account for around 7% of the
total Catalan population. In some Catalan towns, however, the Muslim population
is above 40% of the overall population.
In his book "Jihadism: The Radical Islamic Threat to
Catalonia," Catalan terrorism analyst Jofre Montoto estimates that
at least 10% of the Muslims in Catalonia are "radicals" who are
hardcore believers in the "doctrine of jihadism."
Catalonia," Catalan terrorism analyst Jofre Montoto estimates that
at least 10% of the Muslims in Catalonia are "radicals" who are
hardcore believers in the "doctrine of jihadism."
A five-page diplomatic cable, dated October 2, 2007, described the link between mass immigration to Catalonia
and the rise of radical Islam in the region:
and the rise of radical Islam in the region:
"Heavy immigration — both legal and illegal — from North
Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria) and Southeast Asia (Pakistan and
Bangladesh) has made Catalonia a magnet for terrorist recruiters. ... The
Spanish National Police estimates that there may be upwards of 60,000
Pakistanis living in Barcelona and the surrounding area; the vast majority are
male, unmarried or unaccompanied, and without legal documentation. There are
even more such immigrants from North Africa. ... They live on the edges of
Spanish society, they do not speak the language, they are often unemployed, and
they have very few places to practice their religion with dignity. ... Individually,
these circumstances would provide fertile ground for terrorist recruitment;
taken together, the threat is clear....
Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria) and Southeast Asia (Pakistan and
Bangladesh) has made Catalonia a magnet for terrorist recruiters. ... The
Spanish National Police estimates that there may be upwards of 60,000
Pakistanis living in Barcelona and the surrounding area; the vast majority are
male, unmarried or unaccompanied, and without legal documentation. There are
even more such immigrants from North Africa. ... They live on the edges of
Spanish society, they do not speak the language, they are often unemployed, and
they have very few places to practice their religion with dignity. ... Individually,
these circumstances would provide fertile ground for terrorist recruitment;
taken together, the threat is clear....
"There is little doubt that the autonomous region of
Catalonia has become a prime base of operations for terrorist activity. Spanish
authorities tell us they fear the threat from these atomized immigrant
communities prone to radicalism, but they have very little intelligence on or
ability to penetrate these groups."
Catalonia has become a prime base of operations for terrorist activity. Spanish
authorities tell us they fear the threat from these atomized immigrant
communities prone to radicalism, but they have very little intelligence on or
ability to penetrate these groups."
Many of Catalonia's problems with radical Islam are
self-inflicted. In an effort to promote Catalan nationalism and the Catalan
language, Catalonian pro-independence parties have deliberately promoted
immigration from Arabic-speaking Muslim countries for more than three decades,
in the belief that these immigrants (unlike those from Latin America) would
learn the Catalan language rather than speak Spanish.
self-inflicted. In an effort to promote Catalan nationalism and the Catalan
language, Catalonian pro-independence parties have deliberately promoted
immigration from Arabic-speaking Muslim countries for more than three decades,
in the belief that these immigrants (unlike those from Latin America) would
learn the Catalan language rather than speak Spanish.
Although some Catalans are having second thoughts about the wisdom
of promoting Muslim mass immigration as a strategy to achieve Catalan
independence, at least 10,000 Catalans with links to the separatist movement
have actually converted to Islam in recent years.
of promoting Muslim mass immigration as a strategy to achieve Catalan
independence, at least 10,000 Catalans with links to the separatist movement
have actually converted to Islam in recent years.
It is believed that two out of every ten Catalan radicals who
belong to the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), a far-left political party,
are converts to Islam.
belong to the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), a far-left political party,
are converts to Islam.
The ERC, which now governs Catalonia, has
vehemently refused to sign a cooperation agreement with the central
government in Madrid to fight jihadist terrorism.
vehemently refused to sign a cooperation agreement with the central
government in Madrid to fight jihadist terrorism.
Soeren Kern is
a Senior Fellow at the New York-based Gatestone
Institute
a Senior Fellow at the New York-based Gatestone
Institute
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may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of
Gatestone Institute.
articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of
Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents
may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of
Gatestone Institute.
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