P3, P4, M2
Terrorist Organisations
There are two types of terrorist organisation which are ‘national and regional terrorist groups’ such as the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and ETA (Euskadi Ta
Askatasuna) and ‘International terror groups’ such as ISIS and Al Queda.
Methods used by terrorists
There are many different methods which terrorists use. The most common type of method, which is commonly used by terrorist groups such as the IRA
(Irish Republican Army) or ISIS, is bombings because they are an extremely effective way of causing death, destruction and gaining the media’s attention.
The IRA frequently used car bombs during the conflict in Northern Ireland while ISIS and Al Queda prefer the method of suicide bombers operating the
vehicles to increase its effectiveness.
The IRA also used assassination as a method of getting their point across to the Government, as a result of wanting the British out of Northern Ireland and
wanting a United Ireland. They would carry out assassinations on prison guards, the police and army personnel.
Another method used was by the Al Queda to cause 9/11. This method was hijacking, and in this scenario it was a plane. In total, four planes were hijacked,
three of which successfully managed to target buildings, while the forth crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township.
Suicide attacks/ bombers have been the most frequently used method by ISIS in recent years. An example of a suicide bombing was the 2017 Manchester
Arena attack. They are on a mission to cause as many fatalities as they can while accepting their own death in the process. 9/11 can also be an example of a
suicide attack.
Biological and chemical threats are also another example of a method used for terror attacks. In Tokyo, Japan 1995, there were five coordinated attacks on
the Tokyo metro during rush hour by members of the cult movement, Aum Shinrikyo. This attack involved using ‘Sarin’ which is an extremely toxic liquid
that can be evaporate into gas making it more effective for causing harm to people. It killed 13 people and injured thousands more, according to the BBC
news.
The next method used by terrorists is kidnapping to present a threat to peace and stability in certain regions. Currently there is a threat of kidnapping by
terrorist groups in North Africa. According to the gov.uk website, ‘terrorist groups have kidnapped foreigners, governmental officials and civilians in the
region for financial gain and political leverage. Another example of a kidnap was in 2009, when a British couple called Paul and Rachel Chandler were
kidnapped by Somali pirates as they demanded the UK government for £4 million in order to let them go. As a result, the UK government refused to pay
them, but the Somali government paid them £600,000 and they were released.