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TERORRISM

SUICIDE BOMBINGSA growing phenomenon

ASIS International Las Vegas September 2007

AMIR LECHNER

WHAT IS SUICIDE TERRORISM ?An attack method that depends on the death of the perpetrator/s

(Suicide missions do not necessarily involve the use of explosives- called sacrifice missions)

THE THREATSuicide terrorism is a worldwide phenomenon --countries affected from late 1980’s to present time:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh,China, Colombia, Croatia, Egypt, India, Indonesia,

Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Somalia,

Syria, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, United States and

Yemen

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Small cells -- hard to track and eliminateThe bomber does not need special trainingVery effective resultsRelatively large number of casualtiesDemoralizing – long term effect

Preferred targets Transportation nodes (buses, bus stations, subways trains and aviation related facilities )Gathering places (malls, restaurants, clubs, movie theaters)Religious gatherings (synagogues, churches) Schools, colleges & universitiesSymbolic buildings

The Israeli ExperienceSuicide Bombings=Large Number of Casualties

(Sept. 29, 2000 - September 13, 2004)

972295677Total

541Other

11110Anti-Tank Missiles

413Mortar Bombs

382315Car Bombs

44548397Suicide Bombings

623824Bombings

26260Shootings at Military Installations

22616Shootings at Towns and Villages

821369Shooting at Vehicle in an Ambush

37928Drive-By Shooting

20510798Shooting

19217Lynching

871Running Over

606Stabbing

202Rocks

TotalSecurity ForcesIsraeli CiviliansIncident type

Can it happen here ?Vice President Dick Cheney has said that more terror attacks on the US are "almost certain."

FBI director Robert Mueller warned it is "inevitable" that suicide bombers will strike the US sooner or later.

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THE WAR IN AFGHANISTANThe Global Jihadist movement predates Al QaedaRecruiting Mujahideen fighters Defeating a superpower Creation of Al QaedaSetting up training camps - Invaluable intelligencegathering and combat experience

THE WAR ON TERRORISM

Somewhat dismantled the terrorists organizations to carry out large scale attacks

Creating smaller independent cells

Jihad Fighters

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SOCIETY AND MARTYRDOMCultural acceptance and supportReligious reward-martyrdom, meeting with Allah and 72 virgins Financial reward-pension plan to the shaid/shaida’s family Social status Nationalistic ideologiesAt times a way of “regaining honor" and forgiveness

FatwaA legal declaration issued by a religious law specialist (Mufti) on a specific issue

The fatwa of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah al Saif, the Mufti of the Mujahideen in Chechnya, on the question of suicide bombing: (Should it be considered) a violation or a martyrdom?

Social Status

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Social Status

Financial gains

RECRUITING & TRAININGThe suicide bomber does not receive lengthy training for a one-way missionSmall number of cell members CompartmentalizationRecruiters for the cell come from within the inner circle: family members, friends, friends of close friendsSuicide bombers either volunteer or are recruited after a period of observation

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Chain of Command

ExplosivesProvider

Cell Commander(Amir)

Transporter Escort Indoctrinator Recruiter HeadHunter

SuicideBomber

TEACHING THE SAHADAThe Next Generation

االستشهادية زينب أبو سالمانفصل رأسها عن جسدها الطاهر ، وبقي الحجاب يزينه

يا أخت الرجال.. فإلى الفردوس األعلى يا زينب

Children’s Magazine

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MODUS OPERANDIAl Qaeda operates internationally and conducts multi-targets attacks, including against symbolic, religious and soft targets, as well as secured targets -- sophisticated attacks that require lengthy planning and preparations -- no rush in execution

Most of the regional extremist Islamist groups (JI-South East Asia, PKK,*Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade) attack simple targets -- mostly soft targets, although recent attacks have been more sophisticated

THE EXPLOSIVE DEVICEHuman-borne suicide IED-vests/bags devices – containing several kilograms of explosives – used on relatively small targets

VBIED explosive devices -- cars/boats -- used on medium/large-sized targets and secured targets

Vest-Bag Explosive Device

Materials are very cheapEasy to manufacture and operate Relatively easy to hideA bomb with a “brain”A successful intimidation tool

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The Materials

Vest-Bag Explosive Device

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Preparing The Explosive vest

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Explosive Device Add-On II

Explosive Device Add-On IISurgical plastic bags containing AIDS contaminated blood Surgical plastic bags containing Hepatitis B contaminated bloodPoison -- most common are rat and mice poisonsChlorine VBIED-so far only in Iraq

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Bus in Jerusalem

The Aftermath

The VBIED Explosive DeviceVBIED - vehicle-borne improvised explosive device

(cars, boats and aircraft used as kinetic bombs)Large quantity of explosives -- massive destructionAbility to overcome obstacles large number of casualties

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Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms:Car Bomb Evacuation Safety Distances

VBID Aftermath

VBIED- Indicators

Unusual parking spot, close to entrance, driver getting on sidewalkVehicle is weighted downTinted windowsVisible wiresLocks have been tampered withOil stainsUnusual smell

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SUICIDE BOMBER PROFILENo real profileIn the early stages of the Intifada suicide bombers were unmarried men ages 18-45First female suicide bomber detonated herself on 27 January 2002All layers of Palestinian societyTeenagers and children

In some cases the would-be bomber was fooled by his senders -- no indicators

Bombers often try and blend in by altering their appearance

SUICIDE BOMBER PROFILE Cont.

MINIMIZING THE THREATAdvanced operational planning is imperative for an effective response before and after an attack

Manuals, security/evacuationPre-recorded messagesSpeaker phone system

A deterrent factor is criticalCreate security circles around and within the secure siteSecurity guards/doormen/trainingEquipment - Firearms, handheld explosive sniffers, metal detectors-handheld/gates, dogs

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IndicatorsHuman-Borne Device l

Appearance-Unusual clothing – season, occasionDisproportionate body formationOversized clothing Touching and feeling himselfKeeps hands in pockets or inside bagFreshly shavedUncooperativeLanguage

Human-Borne Device llBehavior –

Anxiety Eyes/nervously looking aroundSweaty/hands, face Too friendly

Conspiracy Non-purposeful walking

Gut feelings

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Successful attacks Unsuccessful attacksUnsuccessful attacks: IDF and ISA thwarting operations, "work accidents," etc.

Successful vs. Unsuccessful (thwarted) Terrorist AttacksTotal successful attacks: 135

Total unsuccessful attacks: 406

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDATTENTION

QUESTINES?