BBC: Basque separatist group ETA announces cease fire in new video

BBC: Basque separatists ETA announce cease fire

LONDON — The BBC is reporting that the Basque separatist militant group ETA has issued a video declaring a cease fire.

A clip shown by the British broadcaster shows three masked militants. The BBC says the video declares that ETA has decided not to carry out armed operations.

The BBC said Sunday it is not clear whether the truce is permanent or whether peace talks will now be held.

ETA is seeking an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France. It is considered a terrorist organization by the European Union and the U.S. It has killed more than 825 people since the late 1960s.

It declared a cease-fire in 2006 but reverted to violence in a matter of months.

The group has been weakened by the arrests of several key leaders.