ASSASSINATION AS TERRORIST TACTIC

TERRORISM RELATED INCIDENTS BY SELECTED COUNTRY, 2014

Assassination is a tactic used by nearly all terrorist groups, although far less frequently than other types of armed attacks. Assassination, when used as a terrorist tactic, is the targeted killing of a country’s public officials or individuals who represent the political, economic, military, security, social, religious, media, or cultural establishments. The killings can be motivated by ideology, religion, politics, or nationalism. Most terrorist groups conduct assassinations to eliminate enemies, intimidate the population, discourage cooperation, influence public opinion, decrease government effectiveness, gain media attention, or simply to exact revenge.

PAKISTAN

IRAQ

INDIA

AFGHANISTAN

SYRIA

THAILAND

SOMALIA

RUSSIA

YEMEN

COLOMBIA

PHILIPPINES

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

COMMON EXPLOSIVES

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS

TATPTRIACETONE-TRIPEROXIDEAn improvised primary explosive that is relatively easy to synthesize. It can be very unstable and sensitive to heat, shock, and friction. TATP is made of a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and acetone with the addition of an acid, such as sulfuric, nitric, or hydrochloric acid.Formula: C₉H₁₈O₆
ANFOAMMONIUM NITRATE FUEL OILAn explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and an organic fuel. Because of its ready availability and cheap material cost, ANFO has been used extensively as the main charge in improvised weapons around the world and is the most common commercial explosive. ANFO is a secondary/tertiary explosive, and requires little specialized skills or machinery to mix.Formula: NH₄NO₃
TNTTRINITROTOLUENEOne of the most commonly used explosives for military and industrial purposes. Its insensitivity to shock and friction reduces the risk of accidental detonation. It appears as a yellow solid and is commonly mixed with other explosives materials in commercial boosters and military munitions or used as a main charge.Formula: C₇H₅N₃O₆
HMTDHEXAMETHLENE TRIPEROXIDE DIAMINEImprovised primary explosive prepared from three basic precursors: hexamine, a weak acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The product is highly sensitive to friction, impact, and electrostatic discharge. HMTD is corrosive in contact in metals and can degrade quickly if improperly synthesized or stored.Formula: C₆H₁₂N₂O₆
UNUREA NITRATEHigh explosive produced by combining dissolved urea fertilizer with nitric acid. Urea nitrate is formed as odorless crystals that are colorless to off-white, although additives and/or metal from the mixing container may alter the compound’s appearance. Urea nitrate is used as a secondary explosive/main charge.Formula: CH₅N₃O₄
C-4CYCLOTRIMETHYLENE TRINITRAMINECommon insensitive military explosive combining cyclonite or cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) as the explosive agent – usually about 91% of the C-4 content – along with plastic binder, plasticizer, and possibly marker chemicals which can help identify the manufacturing source. C-4 appears as an off-white solid with a consistency similar to modeling clay.Formula: C₃H₆N₆O₆

TNT EQUIVALENTS

A terrorist cell’s skill in constructing Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED) is likely to influence the type of attack it might execute. Bombmakers with only rudimentary skills may be restricted to assembling basic devices. A skilled journeyman bombmaker may have the competence needed to build a range of IEDs from small to large that are highly concealable or have advanced capabilities such as multiple triggering methods, directional blasts, or increased blast effect.

TWO HUNDRED KILOGRAMS OF EXPLOSIVES CAN MAKE:

200

PIPE BOMBS

at 1 kg each

SUICIDE VESTS

at 10 kg each

SMALL VBIEDS

at 100 kg each

BOOSTER CHARGE

for 4,000 kg of homemade explosives in a VBIED

THE RADIOLOGICAL THREAT

FACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

What is a “Dirty Bomb?”

A “dirty bomb” is a radiological dispersal device (RDD) that combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material that may disperse when the device explodes. Almost any type of radioactive material with military, industrial, or medical applications could be used in a dirty bomb.

The terms dirty bomb and RDD are often used interchangeably in the media. The device kills or injures through the initial blast of the conventional explosive and by spreading radiation and contamination.

Any bomb can become “dirty” by simply adding radioactive material. The idea behind a dirty bomb is to spread radioactive material into some populated area and cause anxiety in those who think they are being, or have been, exposed to radiation. A dirty bomb could contaminate buildings and the local environment, and expose people to radiation emanating from the radioactive material. People could be externally contaminated (on their skin) or internally contaminated with radioactive materials through inhalation, ingestion, or through wounds.

Effects of an RDD Attack—No Need To Panic

The extent of local contamination would depend on a number of factors, including the size of the explosive, the amount and type of radioactive material used, the means of dispersal, and weather conditions. Those closest to the RDD would be the most likely to sustain injuries due to the explosion. As radioactive material spreads, it becomes less concentrated and less harmful.

It is extremely unlikely that anyone who survives the explosion will become sick from radiation. Immediate health effects from exposure to the low radiation levels expected from an RDD would likely be minimal. Just because people are near radioactive material for a short time or get a small amount of radioactive dust on them does not mean they will get cancer, and any additional risk is likely to be extremely small.

Indicators of Exposure

You cannot rely on your senses to tell if you are being exposed to a harmful level of radioactivity. Radiation detection equipment and devices like Geiger counters and pocket dosimeters are needed. Hazmat crews and many fire trucks routinely carry such equipment with them, and they would probably be the first to detect abnormal levels of radioactivity.

Protective Measures

If you are not involved in the immediate emergency response, the best thing you can do after a bomb blast is try to leave the area quickly and calmly. If the attack includes radioactive material, moving quickly away from the blast area will reduce the time and intensity of your exposure.

In an RDD attack, most people are unlikely to learn that the attack involved radioactive materials until hours or days later. As a precaution, make sure to bag your outer layer of clothing, take a shower, and wash your hair once you reach a safe location.

Removing shoes and outer clothes may get rid of up to 90% of radioactive dust

Washing will remove any remaining dust

Follow FEMA instructions on what to do next—listen to the news or go online

Sources of Radioactive Material

Radioactive materials are routinely used at medical, research, and industrial sites. The vast majority of these materials are not useful in an RDD. The materials that are the most deadly are also the hardest to obtain and handle.

Terrorist Pursuit of Radiological Weapons

Terrorists for many years have sought to acquire radioactive material for use in attacks. In 2004, British authorities arrested a British national, Dhiren Barot, and several associates on various charges, including conspiring to commit public nuisance by the use of radioactive materials. In 2006, Barot was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Fact Sheets on Radiological Weapons

Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization

RADICALIZATION

PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

The strategy to prevent violent extremism in the United States outlines how the Federal Government will support and help empower American communities and their local partners in their grassroots efforts to prevent violent extremism. This strategy commits the Federal Government to improving support to communities, including sharing more information about the threat of radicalization; strengthening cooperation with local law enforcement, who work with these communities every day; and helping communities to better understand and protect themselves against violent extremist propaganda, especially online.

Protecting American communities from al-Qa‘ida’s hateful ideology is not the work of government alone. Communities—especially Muslim American communities whose children, families, and neighbors are being targeted for recruitment by al-Qa‘ida—are often best positioned to take the lead because they know their communities best. Indeed, Muslim American communities have categorically condemned terrorism, worked with law enforcement to help prevent terrorist attacks, and forged creative programs to protect their sons and daughters from al-Qa‘ida’s murderous ideology.

We have prioritized three broad areas of action where we believe the Federal Government can provide value to supporting partnerships at the local level and countering violent extremism.

Enhancing Federal engagement with and support to local communities that may be targeted by violent extremists. Engagement is essential for community-based efforts to prevent violent extremism because it allows government and communities to share information, concerns, and potential solutions.

Building government and law enforcement expertise for preventing violent extremism. We must be vigilant in identifying, predicting, and preempting new developments. This necessitates ongoing research and analysis, as well as exchanges with individuals, communities, and government officials who work on the frontlines to counter the threats we all face.

Countering violent extremist propaganda while promoting our ideals. We must actively and aggressively counter the range of ideologies violent extremists employ to radicalize and recruit individuals by challenging justifications for violence and by actively promoting the unifying and inclusive vision of our American ideals.

Protecting our Nation’s communities from violent extremist recruitment and radicalization is a top national security priority. It is an effort that requires creativity, diligence, and commitment to our fundamental rights and principles. This page is a summary of two documents relating to radicalization, “Empowering Local Partners To Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States,” and the “Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners To Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States.”

THE CHEMICAL THREAT

INDICATORS OF A POSSIBLE CHEMICAL INCIDENT

DEAD ANIMALS, BIRDS, FISH

Not just an occasional incident, but numerous animals (wild and domestic, small and large), birds, and fish in the same area

LACK OF INSECT LIFE
Normal insect activity (ground, air, and/or water) missing, dead insects evident in the ground/water surface/shoreline

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
Numerous individuals experiencing unexplained water-like blisters, wheals (similar to bee stings), pinpointed pupils, choking, respiratory ailments and/or rashes

MASS CASUALTIES
Numerous individuals exhibiting unexplained serious health problems ranging from nausea to disorientation to difficulty breathing to convulsions and death

DEFINITE PATTERN OF CASUALTIES
Casualties distributed in a pattern that may be associated with possible agent dissemination methods

ILLNESS ASSOCIATED WITH CONFINED GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
Lower incidence of symptoms for people working indoors than outdoors, or the reverse

UNUSUAL LIQUID DROPLETS
Numerous surfaces exhibiting oily droplets/film; numerous water surfaces displaying an oily film (no recent rain)

AREAS THAT LOOK DIFFERENT IN APPEARANCE
Not just a patch of dead weeds, but trees, shrubs, bushes, food crops, and/or lawns that are dead, discolored, or withered (no current drought)

UNEXPLAINED ODORS
Smells ranging from fruit/flower to sharp/pungent to garlic/horseradish-like to bitter almonds/peach kernels to newly mown hay; the particular odor is completely out of character with its surroundings

LOW-LYING CLOUDS
Low-lying cloud/fog-like condition that is not explained by its surroundings

UNUSUAL METAL DEBRIS
Unexplained bomb/munitions-like material, especially if it contains liquid (no recent rain)

CHEMICAL AGENTS

EFFECTS ON THE HUMAN BODY

Sarin is an extremely toxic substance whose sole application is as a nerve agent. Nerve agents are the most toxic and rapidly acting of the known chemical warfare agents. As a chemical weapon, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations according to UN Resolution 687, and its production and stockpiling was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993. Sarin can be used as a binary chemical weapon, meaning two different substances which are easier and/or safer to store independently, then can be mixed immediately before use to create the desired chemical.

SARIN IN THE EYES

Contracted pupils, redness of the membranes, pain in the eye, dim and/or blurred vision, sensation of pressure with heaviness, reflex nausea and vomiting. Effects are usually local, occuring from direct contact with nerve agent vapor, aerosol, or liquid; but exposure by other routescan also effect eyes.

SWALLOWING SARIN

Ingestion of contaminated food or water may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence.

SARIN ON THE SKIN

Health effects may be immediate for contact with liquid or delayed as much as 18 hours for vapor. Sweating and muscular twitching at the site of contact, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. Eventual loss of consciousness, seizures, paralysis, nasal and oral secretions, and cessation of breathing.

BREATHING IN SARIN

Within minutes—contracted pupils, runny nose, narrowing of the large airways, fluid accumulation in the lungs and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Eventual seizures, muscular twitching, paralysis, nasal and oral secretions, loss of consciousness, and cessation of breathing.
VX, a chemical nerve agent, paralyzes the nervous system. It is more toxic and longer-lived than related nerve agents Tabun and Sarin, which dissipate quickly and have only short-term effects. VX is considerd to be much more toxic by entry through the skin and somewhat more toxic by inhalation. Odorless and tasteless, VX is an oily liquid that is amber in color and very slow to evaporate; about as slowly as motor oil.

VX IN THE EYES

Contracted pupils, redness of the membranes, pain in the eye, dim and/or blurred vision, sensation of pressure with heaviness, reflex nausea and vomiting. Effects are usually local, occuring from direct contact with nerve agent vapor, aerosol, or liquid; but exposure by other routes can also effect eyes. Rinse the eyes with plain water 10 to 15 minutes if they are burning or if vision is blurred.

SWALLOWING VX

Ingestion of contaminated food or water may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence. Do not induce vomiting or give fluids to drink.

VX ON THE SKIN

Health effects may be immediate for contact with liquid or delayed as much as 18 hours for vapor. Sweating and muscular twitching at the site of contact, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. Eventual loss of consciousness, seizures, paralysis, nasal and oral secretions, and cessation of breathing. Even a tiny drop of nerve agent on the skin can cause sweating and muscle twitching.

BREATHING IN VX

Within minutes—contracted pupils, runny nose, narrowing of the large airways, fluid accumulation in the lungs and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Eventual seizures, muscular twitching, paralysis, nasal and oral secretions, loss of consciousness, and cessation of breathing. Respiratory failure possibly leading to death.
Ricin, the toxin found naturally in castor beans, is poisonous if inhaled, injected, or ingested. It can be in the form of a powder, a mist, or a pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid. Castor beans are processed throughout the world to make castor oil and ricin is part of the waste “mash” produced when castor oil is made. Ricin works by getting inside the cells of a person’s body and inhibiting protein synthesis. The major symptoms of ricin poisoning depend on the route of exposure and the dose received, though many organs may be affected in severe cases. Treatment is available, but long-term organ damage in survivors is likely. Death from ricin poisoning could take place within 36 to 72 hours of exposure, depending on the route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or injection) and the dose received.

RICIN IN THE EYES

Contact with ricin powders or products may cause redness and pain of the skin and eyes.

SWALLOWING RICIN

If someone swallows a significant amount of ricin, he or she would likely develop vomiting and diarrhea that may become bloody. Severe dehydration may be the result, followed by low blood pressure. Other signs and symptoms may incude seizures, and blood in the urine. Within several days, the person’s liver, spleen, and kidneys might stop working and the person could die.

RICIN ON THE SKIN

Ricin is unlikely to be absorbed through normal skin. Contact with ricin powders or products may cause redness and pain of the skin and eyes. However, if you touch ricin that is on your skin and then eat food with your hands or put your hands in your mouth, you may ingest some.

BREATHING IN RICIN

Within a few hours of inhaling significant amounts of ricin, the likely symptoms would be respiratory distress, fever, cough, nausea, and tightness in the chest. Heavy sweating may follow as well as fluid building up in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This would make breathing even more difficult, and the skin might turn blue (cyanosis). Finally, low blood pressure and respiratory failure may occur, leading to death.

THE BIOLOGICAL THREAT

CLINICAL FEATURES

Botulinum Toxin

Symptoms appear several hours to one to two days after exposure.

INITIAL Blurred vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty understanding language, difficulty in speaking, muscle weakness.PROGRESSION—Day 3 Mucous in throat, neuromuscular symptoms, respiratory distress, difficulty in swallowing, feels like a cold without fever.PROGRESSION—Day 4 Indistinct speech, pupils moderately dilated, retarded eye motions, “mental numbness.”

Smallpox

Incubation average 12 days. Symptoms begin acutely.

PHASE I SYMPTOMS Malaise, fever, chills, vomiting, headache, backache. Light-skinned patients may exhibit rash during this phase.PHASE II SYMPTOMS Facial rash and eruptions on mucous membrane leading to infectious secretions. Eruptions on lower extremities spreading to the trunk over the following eight to 14 days (these pustules later form scabs).

INDICATORS OF FALSE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Passport

Ahmed Ressam, sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2005 for planning to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on 31 December 1999, acquired this ostensibly genuine Canadian passport by using a fraudulent baptismal certificate; the obscured name was Western-sounding in an attempt to evade scrutiny at the border.

False travel documents are often based on lost or stolen passports. Prompt reporting of missing documents can be an effective deterrent to this threat.

INDICATORS INCLUDE:

Physically altered passports

Passports with serial numbers that are watchlisted as lost or stolen

Handwritten documents that are easily forged or altered

Multiple passports used by the same person with variations in the spelling/structure of the name and of date of birth

Ambiguous or contradictory information submitted to consular or border control officials

Absence of supporting documents to corroborate passport information

Passports with glued-in photographs

Large gaps in travel history as reflected in stamps and visa

If you are overseas, report your lost or stolen passport to the nearest US embassy or consulate immediately.

In the United States, report your lost or stolen passport to the Department of State’s Passport Services group; call 1-877-487-2778.

If you find someone else’s lost passport, mail it to:

U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
600 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036

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METHODS & TACTICS:TERRORIST-ASSOCIATED ASSASSINATION INCIDENTS IN THE US

ASSASSINATION AS TERRORIST TACTIC

TERRORISM RELATED INCIDENTS BY SELECTED COUNTRY, 2014