Spanish foreign minister: aircraft bomb threats may be hybrid aggression

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Friday, 6 November, that the wave of aircraft bomb threats seen across Europe this week is an attempt at hybrid aggression. The term refers to attacks that combine various non-military tools, such as cyberattacks and intimidation. He made the remarks to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, offering one of the clearest government-level assessments of the incidents so far.

Identical incidents across Europe

Albares pointed out that it cannot be a coincidence that so many completely identical incidents with the same modus operandi are occurring in different European countries. In his view, the most logical conclusion is that Europe is facing an attempt at hybrid aggression and, in a sense, psychological warfare. Dozens of such incidents have taken place this week.

The minister did not name any specific countries. In Western security circles, accusations of this kind usually point to Russia, Iran, North Korea or China.

Link to cyberattacks

Albares said that recent cyberattacks on digital platforms and on supermarket refrigeration systems fit the same pattern. According to him, there are forces in the world acting this way in order to weaken Europe.

He described Europe as a project of hope that brings together democracy, tolerance, economic growth, redistribution and social justice. In the minister's words, that is exactly what troubles those who want a return to the law of the strongest.

Investigation will take time

Albares acknowledged that it will take time to establish who is behind this week's incidents. He nevertheless stressed that those responsible will be identified. The source does not say which airlines or airports were affected or whether anyone has been detained.