2011 Marrakech bombing
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Marrakech bombing killed 17 people in the city of Marrakech
, Morocco on 28 April 2011. The blast, from a bomb left in a bag, destroyed the Argana cafe in Djemaa el-Fna square, a popular tourist spot
. At least 20 people were injured. Most of the dead were tourists.
Eight French nationals were killed, one of them a girl of 10 years, originally from northern France. Also killed were an Israeli-Canadian, a Briton (Peter Moss, 59, from London and a former writer for the newspaper The Jewish Chronicle
), a Dutch
man, a Swiss, and a Portuguese
living in Switzerland. The Swiss and Portuguese were the companions of two Ticino
natives injured in the same attack.
In addition to these foreign nationals, two Moroccans were killed. One was the Jewish husband of the Israeli-Canadian killed.
Among the injured, 14 were hospitalized and four were repatriated to their country the next day (two Swiss and two Russians), while others left the hospital after receiving the necessary care.
since 2002. However, Al Qaeda denied responsibility for the blast.
On 28 October 2011, in court in Rabat, Adel al-Othmani was sentenced to death for his role in the bombing.
Hakim Dah received a life sentence. Four others were given four years and three were given a two-year sentence for their roles.
Armenia – President
Serzh Sargsyan sent his condolences to the King of Morocco and stated his support "in finding the culprits and bringing them to justice.”
Early Modern France condemned the blast as being "cruel and cowardly". Nicolas Sarkozy
, the French president, said : "with consternation of the terrorist attack,". Alain Juppé
, the French foreign minister, criticized "this barbaric terrorist attack that nothing can justify", calling in a statement for "all light to be shed on this revolting crime, for those responsible to be found, tried and punished". Marine Le Pen
, a French MEP
and president of the Front National, claimed that the announcement of Osama bin Laden's execution
was "a just and appropriate answer to the death of the victims of Marrakech who French people had mourned for some days".
Germany urged that the attack "must not stop the reform process that has been initiated in Morocco", referring to the ongoing "Arab spring
".
United States - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that "the United States condemns in the strongest terms today's terrorist attack that killed and injured innocent people at a cafe in Marrakech, Morocco. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of this cowardly attack and stand with the people of Morocco at this difficult time."
Marrakech
Marrakech or Marrakesh , known as the "Ochre city", is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history...
, Morocco on 28 April 2011. The blast, from a bomb left in a bag, destroyed the Argana cafe in Djemaa el-Fna square, a popular tourist spot
Tourism in Morocco
Tourism in Morocco is well developed, with a strong tourist industry focused on the country's coast, culture, and history. Morocco has been one of the most politically stable countries in North Africa, which has allowed tourism to develop...
. At least 20 people were injured. Most of the dead were tourists.
Casualties
17 people were killed, of which 14 died on the site, while 3 more were reported dead the next day. 25 people were injured, four seriously.Eight French nationals were killed, one of them a girl of 10 years, originally from northern France. Also killed were an Israeli-Canadian, a Briton (Peter Moss, 59, from London and a former writer for the newspaper The Jewish Chronicle
The Jewish Chronicle
The Jewish Chronicle is a London-based Jewish newspaper. Founded in 1841, it is the oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the world.-Publication data and readership figures:...
), a Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
man, a Swiss, and a Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
living in Switzerland. The Swiss and Portuguese were the companions of two Ticino
Ticino
Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language...
natives injured in the same attack.
In addition to these foreign nationals, two Moroccans were killed. One was the Jewish husband of the Israeli-Canadian killed.
Among the injured, 14 were hospitalized and four were repatriated to their country the next day (two Swiss and two Russians), while others left the hospital after receiving the necessary care.
Responsibility
Morocco blamed Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb for the bombing. The group has been fighting an insurgent campaignInsurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present)
The Maghreb has been the subject of an insurgency since 2002 waged by the neo-Khawarij Islamist militia, Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, or, GSPC...
since 2002. However, Al Qaeda denied responsibility for the blast.
On 28 October 2011, in court in Rabat, Adel al-Othmani was sentenced to death for his role in the bombing.
Hakim Dah received a life sentence. Four others were given four years and three were given a two-year sentence for their roles.
International reactions
Armenia – PresidentPresident of Armenia
President of Armenia is the title of the head of state of Armenia since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.-Democratic Republic of Armenia :*Avetis Aharonyan *Avetik Sahakyan *Avetis Aharonyan -Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic and Armenian...
Serzh Sargsyan sent his condolences to the King of Morocco and stated his support "in finding the culprits and bringing them to justice.”
Early Modern France condemned the blast as being "cruel and cowardly". Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
, the French president, said : "with consternation of the terrorist attack,". Alain Juppé
Alain Juppé
Alain Marie Juppé is a French politician currently serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister of France from 1995 to 1997 under President Jacques Chirac and the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs from 2010 to 2011...
, the French foreign minister, criticized "this barbaric terrorist attack that nothing can justify", calling in a statement for "all light to be shed on this revolting crime, for those responsible to be found, tried and punished". Marine Le Pen
Marine Le Pen
Marine Le Pen is a French politician, a lawyer by profession and the president of the Front National since 16 January 2011...
, a French MEP
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
and president of the Front National, claimed that the announcement of Osama bin Laden's execution
Death of Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden, then head of the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda, was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, shortly after 1 a.m. local time by a United States special forces military unit....
was "a just and appropriate answer to the death of the victims of Marrakech who French people had mourned for some days".
Germany urged that the attack "must not stop the reform process that has been initiated in Morocco", referring to the ongoing "Arab springArab Spring
The Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
".
United States - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that "the United States condemns in the strongest terms today's terrorist attack that killed and injured innocent people at a cafe in Marrakech, Morocco. We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of this cowardly attack and stand with the people of Morocco at this difficult time."