A series of bomb attacks last week killed hopes that the threat from al-Qaeda was diminishing. Experts worry that the string of apparent successes in the international war against terrorism might even trigger more attacks. Ominously, the terrorists are focusing on softer targets, proving once again that they have no respect for life. They will kill anyone to instill fear and further their cause. The lengthening list of civilian casualties is proof that there are no bystanders in this struggle.
The most recent outrage occurred last weekend in Casablanca. A wave of attacks in the Moroccan capital claimed at least 30 lives and wounded dozens more. Ten terrorists launched five attacks that targeted the Casa de Espana, a Jewish community center called the Israelite Community Circle, an old Jewish cemetery, the Belgian Consulate and a major downtown hotel. The attacks in Morocco were similar to a series of bombings at expatriate compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, earlier in the week. There, 34 people were killed and hundreds more wounded. Those attacks were preceded by two suicide bombings in Chechnya in Russia that claimed another 73 lives.
While no one has taken credit for the blasts, experts suspect al-Qaeda. The Moroccan and Saudi Arabia attacks were similar in style and execution -- nearly simultaneous bombings at multiple locations. They targeted nonmilitary facilities that had only light defenses. Intelligence officials have confirmed that they had information that the group planned a series of bombings. Morocco and Saudi Arabia, two stout U.S. allies in the Middle East, were natural targets.