LONDON BOMBINGS - 07 JULY 2005

LONDON BOMBINGS – 07 JULY 2005

– AIM• To provide an overview of the London bombings and the

conclusions / lessons to be drawn from them

– SCOPE• What happened• Who were the perpetrators• Intended victims• Objectives and motivations• Significance• Results• Changes effected

WHAT HAPPENED

• 4 x SUICIDE ATTACKS– 3 x Trains– 1 x Bus

• CASUALTIES– 56 Dead (52 victims and 4 x bombers)– 700 injured

• WIDESPREAD DISRUPTION / DESTRUCTION

LOCATIONS • Russell Square

– Explosion in first carriage causing 27 deaths

– Bomber was Jermaine Lindsay• Aldgate

– Explosion in second carriage causing 8 deaths

– Bomber was Shehzad Tanweer

LOCATIONS - CONTINUED• Edgware Road

– Explosion in second carriage causing 7 deaths– Bomber was Mohammad Sidique Khan

• Tavistock Square– Explosion on double decker bus caused 14 deaths– Bomber was Hasib Hussain

PERPETRATORS

• Mohammad Siddique Khan (age 30)• Shehzad Tanweer (age 22)• Hasib Hussain (age 18)• Jermaine Lindsay (age 19)

HOW

• Bombers rented a flat from where they could manufacture the explosive devices– Each device contained

between 2-5 kg of home made explosive

• Operation self-financed – Estimate of $8000

pounds to finance entire operation

HOW - CONTINUED

• Planning and Coordination– Identified with associating with other extremists

in the United Kingdom– Reconnaissance and “practice run”

INTENDED VICTIMS

• British citizens• Attack on transportation system designed to

achieve:– mass casualty– mass disruption– mass destruction

MOTIVATIONS & OBJECTIVES

• Pakistan– Extremist madrassas fuel Muslim discontent

• Al Qaeda– Inspiration and possible training– Need to remain relevant

SIGNIFICANCE

• First ever suicide attack on British mainland

• Al Qaeda still relevant• Attack came after

United Kingdom had only recently decreased threat level

RESULTS

• Casualties – 52 killed– 4 suicides– Over 700 casualties

• Possibility of further suicide attacks in the UK

• Consolidation of Al Qaeda brand name

CHANGES EFFECTED

• Review of the British security services procedures

• Increased funding for security services

• Prevent strategy implemented

• Coroners Report– Preparation for future

incidents

QUESTIONS ?

BIBLIOGRAPHY• All images courtesy of the BBC, accessed 28 June 2011 at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/uk/2005/london_explosions/default.stm• Author unknown, The Economist, 14 July 2005, accessed on 14 July 2011 at http://www.economist.com/node/4172107• Author unknown, The Guardian reprinted in Sydney Morning Herald, 15 July 2005, accessed 04 July 2011 at

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bombers-linked-to-religious-schools/2005/07/15/1121429359122.html• Aylwin, C.J., König, T.C, Brennan, N.W., Shirley, P.J, Davies, G., Walsh, M.S., Brohi, K., “Reduction in critical mortality in urban mass

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• Coroners Inquests into the London Bombings of 07 July 2005, Report under Rule 43 of the Coroner’s Rules 1984, published 06 May 2011, accessed 28 June 2011 at http://7julyinquests.independent.gov.uk/docs/orders/rule43-report.pdf

• History of London: London Bombings accessed 10 July 2011 at http://www.history.co.uk/explore-history/history-of-london/london-bombings.html

• Hoffman, B., Radicalization and Subversion: Al Qaeda and the 07 July 2005 Bombings and the 2006 Airline Bombing Plot, in Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Vol 32. No 12. pp. 1100-1116.

• Intelligence and Security Committee, Report into the London Terrorist Attacks on 07 July 2005: Presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister by Command of Her Majesty, Cmd 6785, May 2006 accessed 12 July 2011, at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/isc_7july_report.pdf

• Jenkins, B.M., The Lessons of London, San Diego Tribune accessed 07 July 2011 at http://www.rand.org/commentary/2005/07/17/DUT.html

• London Attacks accessed on 28 June 2011 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/uk/2005/london_explosions/default.stm• Raman, B. Jihad in London & Thailand: The Link, in South Asia Analysis Group. Paper 1461, July 2005, accessed on 04 July 2011 at

http:www.southasianalysis.org/%5Cpapers15%5Cpaper1461.html• Report of the Official Account of the Bombings in London on 07 th July 2005, return to an Address of the Honourable House of Commons

dated 11th May 2006, accessed 28 June 2011 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_05_06_narrative.pdf