In response to heightened security measures, terrorist organizations are increasingly shifting towards the use of locally sourced materials and readily available technology to construct improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This adaptation allows them to circumvent strict border controls and security checks that target conventional weapons and explosives. Intelligence officials note that this trend poses a significant challenge to detection and prevention, as the components needed are often legal, easily accessible, and do not immediately raise suspicion.
The shift involves utilizing common, dual-use materials such as fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate, castor seeds for ricin production, and ordinary watches as timing devices. These materials can be acquired over the counter for legitimate commercial purposes, making it difficult to trace their acquisition back to terrorist activities. Retired intelligence officers point out that the appeal of IEDs lies in their "improvised" nature, utilizing non-military, accessible components. Even established groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS have historically used homemade explosives triggered by everyday electronic items like cell phones.
This operational shift is strategically designed to inflict mass disruption and fear, undermining public safety and generating propaganda that erodes government stability. By using everyday items to cause violence, terrorist groups aim to create a sense of pervasive threat, amplifying the psychological impact of their attacks.
The use of homemade explosives and readily available components grants terrorist groups significant leeway to execute high-impact attacks without relying on external supplies of military-grade explosives like RDX. A wide range of materials, including fertilizer, gunpowder, and hydrogen peroxide, can be used as explosive materials in IEDs. A common example is ANFO, a mixture of ammonium nitrate (oxidizer) and fuel oil (fuel source). IEDs consist of an initiator, switch, main charge, power source, and a container. They may also include enhancements such as nails, glass, or metal fragments designed to increase the amount of shrapnel.
Historically, IEDs have been a favored weapon due to their ease of construction, the wide availability of components, and the significant harm and disruption they can cause. For example, the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 involved pressure cookers packed with low explosives, ball bearings, nails, and other metal used as shrapnel. The explosives were likely made from up to 20 pounds of powder from fireworks and/or similar pyrotechnic materials, with the devices costing as little as $100 to build.
Counterterrorism efforts are adapting to address this evolving threat. Increased vigilance is required regarding the sale and monitoring of dual-use materials. Public awareness campaigns can help citizens recognize and report suspicious activities related to the acquisition or storage of these materials. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are also focusing on identifying and disrupting the networks that facilitate the procurement and distribution of materials used in IED construction. Furthermore, enhanced screening procedures and technological advancements are being implemented to detect IED components at checkpoints and other vulnerable locations.
The ongoing shift towards local bomb-making technology highlights the dynamic nature of the terrorist threat. By adapting their tactics and leveraging readily available resources, terrorist groups seek to maintain their capacity for violence and disruption in the face of increasingly sophisticated security measures.
