Eps 2: The Historical Uses of Improvised Explosive Devices In Domestic Extremist Attacks In the United States
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Host
Carter Sutton
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The most notable of these is the Irish Republican Army , who used improvised explosive devices to spread fear and disruption throughout Northern Ireland in the late 20th century. In just 17 hours, the IRA was able to kill and injure thousands of people with their IEDs. The use of IEDs has been a prominent tool in domestic extremist attacks since then, as they are an effective way for terrorist groups to inflict grievous physical injuries and damage critical infrastructure. In recent years, IEDs have been used by various terrorist networks around the world such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the Haqqani Network. They have also been used in swarming attacks to kill or injure thousands of people over a short period of time.
Hamas has employed guerilla style ambushes and conventional terrorist tactics, including suicide attacks, hostage takings, and vehicle borne IEDs. In the United States, domestic extremists have employed improvised explosive devices in their armed attacks. Tactics have included rocket or mortar attacks, bombings with suicide bombers or vehicles packed with explosives, and even rocket attacks. These tactics have been used to target both civilian and military targets alike. The use of IEDs in domestic extremist attacks has become more frequent over the years, leading to increased security measures to counter these threats.
The 9/11 terrorist attack was a prime example of how deadly improvised explosive devices can be used in domestic terrorism. Since then, many bomb making instructions have been made available online, which has increased the risk of domestic extremist groups using them in their attacks. One form of terrorism prevention is to monitor and track any suspicious activity that could be related to the unlawful use of explosives. This includes tracking those who seek out bomb-making instructions and obtain materials to build IEDs. In addition, it is important to secure illegal firearms and explosives so they cannot be used by extremists. Terrorism against the civilian population has also been an issue in the US. In 2019, a man exposed a plot in Puerto Rico to attack Islamic facilities with explosives which could have caused serious harm or death if carried out.
This serves as a reminder of the historical uses of improvised explosive devices in domestic extremist attacks in the United States. To prevent such attacks, three preventions are typically involved: individuals, foreign terrorist organizations, and materials used to create explosives. Seven domestic terrorist incidents have occurred since 1997 with targets ranging from materials and sites housing developments to dealerships and construction sites. Environmental extremist movement have also been known to be involved in some of these attacks.
The most noteworthy example of this is the Earth Liberation Front which was responsible for a string of arson attacks in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The ELF used improvised explosive devices to target several buildings, including a ski resort and an animal research facility. Another group that has been known to use improvised explosive devices in domestic extremist attacks is Al Shabaab, a Somali-based terrorist group. Al Shabaab has launched numerous attacks targeting Kenyan security forces, as well as civilians, in southern Somalia. In response to these attacks, Kenya has increased its security forces and coordinated counterterrorism operations with the international community. Improvised explosive device attacks have also been used by major international terrorist groups like al Qaeda and ISIS in major international terrorist incidents like the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11th 2001.
The use of IEDs in domestic extremist attacks in the United States has been increasing in recent years. Groups such as white supremacists, anti-government militants, and other insurgent groups have used IEDs to target burkinabe security forces, killing thousands of people. In addition, homemade explosives have been witnessed in attacks on civilian targets in Afghanistan and Pakistan resulting in thousands of civilian fatalities. In the past year alone, various insurgent groups have targeted Afghan civilian targets with IEDs resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians members.
In the United States, the use of Improvised Explosive Devices in domestic extremist attacks is a growing trend. Historically, IEDs have been used by terrorist and illicit groups to create maximum destruction and disruption. In 2017, a suicide car bombing in Aleppo was linked to ISIL, resulting in the death of nearly 30 people. Over the past 10 years, Iraq has seen its share of IED attacks during its long civil war with insurgents using self-made devices to target civilians and military personnel alike.
In the United States, IEDs have been used by domestic extremist organizations to target military personnel and other government targets. Countering these networks is critical for our national security, as any attack could be used as a recruitment tool for terrorists and their supporters. To understand this threat, the United States has used foreign assistance resources to identify and disrupt IED facilitators in conflict or terrorist attacks in Iraq and Syria. In 2017, U.S. forces and law enforcement organizations coordinated efforts to reduce the use of IEDs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and other countries where these devices have been used against civilians and coalition forces. These efforts are part of a strong partnership with our international partners to counter the threat posed by IEDs worldwide. This includes efforts to reduce the availability of explosives used in such attacks on ships off the coast of Pakistan as well as elsewhere around the world.
Historically, the use of improvised explosive devices in domestic extremist attacks in the United States has been a major terrorism threat. Terrorist networks have used right-wing terrorists and posed right-wing extremists to perpetrate annual terrorist events. Other online communication platforms, such as Facebook and Reddit, have been used to operate these networks to a great extent. The use of IEDs by domestic terrorist groups is especially concerning given its potential to attract and radicalize potential attackers with little effort. In response, leading partnerships such as the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime are taking steps to address this problem by using various combinations of surveillance and monitoring technology along with traditional policing efforts.
The FBI and other government agencies are also taking an active role in counterterrorism investigations into domestic extremist attacks using improvised explosive devices . These investigations often involve the use of forces forensic techniques, such as analyzing the chemical composition of the device and other homemade weapons used by terrorist groups. In addition, masks and scarves have become popular among some antifa groups as a form of concealment during their often violent protests and vandalism. The Black Blocs, another antifa group that is known for its destructive activities, is also believed to have taken part in IED attacks across Europe.