IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVEhttpAssets)/EFDFCCD728A275… · Definition of Improvised Explosive Device An IED is a bomb fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal,

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IMPROVISEDIMPROVISEDEXPLOSIVE DEVICESEXPLOSIVE DEVICES

Geneva, 23‐24 April

2012

Meetings of Experts onMeetings of Experts onAmended Protocol IIAmended Protocol II


Types of IEDs

AGENDAAGENDA

New technologies new challenges

Improvised Explosive Devices in Colombia

Counter IED measures


Over the last thirty years, illegal groups have used all kinds of IEDs in Colombia.

Car bombs, improvised rockets, grenades, mortars, explosive-filled gas cylinders, booby traps, roadside explosives and even donkey- bombs have killed or maimed thousands of

Colombians (both civilians and military) and the national economy has suffered enormous losses

because of affected trade and infrastructure.

Use of IEDs in Colombia


Definition of Improvised Explosive Device

An IED is a bomb fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating

destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and

designed to destroy or incapacitate personnel or vehicles.


Composition of IEDs

All IED have at least de following components:

1.An initiation system or fuze;2.A power supply for the detonator3.A detonator;4.A main explosive charge;5.A container.


Scope of the problem






Scope of the problemActs of Terrorism


Scope of the problemActs of Terrorism against infrastructure


Scope of the problemActs of Terrorism against energy infrastructure


Scope of the problemActs of Terrorism against road infrastructure


Scope of the problemIED and landmine victims


Types of IEDs

AGENDAAGENDA





Types of IEDs found in Colombia• Anti-personnel Mines:

IEDs produced with plastic, glass or metallic containers, with different amounts of explosive, shrapnel- generating objects and concurrent activation systems.

The most sophisticated are undetectable by metal detectors and have chemical activation systems that can last for many years.


• Booby traps:

IEDs produced with different objects like cell phones, radios, balls, cooking pots and others, designed to be triggered when an unsuspecting victim touches or disturbs the seemingly harmless object.

They can also be activated by a remote control or a timing mechanism.

Types of IEDs found in Colombia


• Vehicle Borne IEDs:

Devices that use a vehicle as the package or container of the IED. They vary by the type of vehicles available.

There are registers of donkey drawn carts, bicycles, motorcycles and ambulances used to attack the Colombian Armed Forces.



• House Borne IEDs:

House or any other kind of building, rigged to detonate and collapse shortly after a military unit enters.

They have become very popular to attack clearing squads and specialized anti- terrorism teams.



• Land Service Ammunition:

Improvised projectiles, mortars, rockets, grenades and remote controlled roadside charges were devised with serious reliability and aiming problems.

Illegal armed groups don’t have access to weapons markets, thus are forced to forge most of their land service ammunition.



Types of IEDs

AGENDAAGENDA





Development of improvised explosives

IEDs seldom contain military explosives. They are more often built with ANFO or other types of improvised explosives.

Allegedly, several products, like coffee or paint, are added to those explosives to avoid canine detection.


New activation mechanisms


New activation mechanisms


Improved destruction capabilities


Enhanced covertness


Enhanced covertness


Enhanced covertness


Enhanced covertness


Enhanced covertness


Types of IEDs

AGENDAAGENDA





National LegislationNational Constitution Ch.7 Art. 223

Production and commerce of weapons, ammunition and explosives is limited to the government.

Penal Code (Law 599/2000) Arts. 365 & 3671-4 years of prison for unauthorized production or commerce.8 years of prison for use.15 years of prison for production, commerce or use of antipersonnel mines.

Victim Assistance (Law 1448/2011)Comprehensive assistance and reparation to all victims of the conflict.


Several special teams and bomb squads have been trained to deal with the IED problem in Colombia.

They have state of the art technology to counter IEDs but the race between new production technologies and countermeasures is never-ending.

Technical counter measures



• Colombia’s Armed Forces have +1.200 rapid response teams to conduct quick counter IED/demining operations during combat situations (breaching).

• Many teams are now clearing areas to mitigate the risk for mine- affected communities.




¡GRACIAS!GRACIAS!

Pablo Esteban Parra GallegoPablo Esteban Parra GallegoHumanitarian Humanitarian DeminingDemining

DirectorDirectorPresidentialPresidential

ProgramProgram

forfor

Mine Mine [email protected]@presidencia.gov.co

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IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVEhttpAssets)/EFDFCCD728A275… · Definition of Improvised Explosive Device An IED is a bomb fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal,