The persisting anarchist and far-left terror threat
GREECE | Thursday, 1 February 2007 | Views [1049]
On 12 January 2007, a small anti-tank rocket was fired at the US embassy compound in the centre of the Greek capital, Athens. Narrowly missing the embassy emblem, the rocket pierced the building and exploded inside. Although it caused only minor damage and no casualties, the attack had the potential to inflict significant loss of life. The far-left extremist group Epanastatikos Aghonas (Revolutionary Struggle - EA) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was a ‘response to the criminal war on terrorism that the US has launched across the planet’. The group also went on to threaten further attacks in the future. The embassy attack is symptomatic of a recent resurgence in anarchist and far-left militant activity in Greece.
The Mediterranean country has suffered from a rash of bomb and arson attacks throughout the month of January, with both anarchist and far-left groups targeting government offices and banks both in Athens and Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki. Although these attacks also caused no loss of life or serious injury, they have caused significant damage and disruption and have led to heightened anxiety throughout Greece. They have also highlighted the continuing threat that anarchist and extreme left-wing groups pose to the Greek security environment.
Greece has long been plagued by radical anarchist and left-wing organisations that have used violence to further their cause. Historically, the two most prominent/prolific organisations have been Epanastaiki Organosi 17 Noemvri (Revolutionary Organisation November 17) and Epanastikos Laikos Agnoas (Revolutionary Popular Struggle). Their ideological basis could be summarised as revolutionary, anti-capitalist, anti-US, anti-West and anti-NATO. Between them, these two groups have been responsible for over 25 deaths in the past 30 years, including the 1975 assassination of the CIA station chief in Athens. They have also assassinated Greek, Turkish and UK officials, launched rocket attacks against military installations and repeatedly bombed foreign – particularly American – interests. However, in July 2002, amid mounting international pressure to track down and neutralise terrorists before the 2004 Olympic Games, the Greek security services achieved several breakthroughs in relation to these two organisations. After fortuitously arresting and then interrogating a November 17 suspect after a bomb prematurely exploded in his hands, they were able to detain several key personalities in the anarchist and extreme far-left movements. Those arrested were successfully prosecuted, with 15 of the accused receiving lengthy prison sentences. It was thought, primarily because of the relative peace that followed, that the groups had been dealt a fatal blow.
However, the attacks on the US embassy, Greek government buildings and banks throughout January suggest that these groups have either recovered, re-establishing their capabilities and adopting new monikers, or that new, unknown groups have filled the vacuum left by November 17 and the Revolutionary Popular Struggle . However, regardless of whether these recent attacks are the work of old or new groups, it is highly likely that the attacks will continue. For starters, Greece’s political and social climate, brimming as it is with potent anti-Americanism, provides a sustainable environment for anarchist and far-left groups to flourish. Secondly, these groups will be emboldened by their previous successes and encouraged by the kudos granted to their underground revolutionary status. Greek government efforts to clamp down on these organisations will be hampered by the groups’ small-scale and insular nature. These groups are traditionally numerically small and tight-knit. Seemingly impervious to infiltration they have demonstrated an ability to carry out successful and high-profile attacks while avoiding detection or apprehension. The fact that security sources remain in the dark as to the actual sizes, leadership structures and evolution of the various groups is testament to this resilience and robustness.
As further attacks are likely, visitors to Greece are urged to exercise vigilance and caution at all times, particularly in the vicinity of Greek government buildings, banks or US interests. Although recent attacks have occurred typically late at night or early in the morning, clients should be aware that this may change and that although recent attacks have not been fatal, this should be attributed more to luck than to inept or inadequate planning, since the locations chosen and weapons used have been nothing short of ideal.
Tags: travel safety, red24, safetyhub
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