Bodyguard and Security 2.pdf

IBSSA official publication 2006Twin threats-crime and terrorismThe operating agenda for the World today comprisesthe twin threats of Crime and Terrorism. Whilewe continue to tackle traditional crime and publicorder concerns, we also have to face the challenges ofcombating terrorism and ensuring InternationalSecurity. In confronting terrorism, we can ill-affordto be complacent and let out guard down.The Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group which is linkedto the Al Qaeda network may have been disruptedbut it continues to pose a real threat to our regionalsecurity. It is important for us to understand andappreciate the link between criminal activities andterrorism. Extremists and terrorist groups areknown to recruit from prisons and exploit criminalnetworks. Crime is often used by terrorists as ameans of supporting and funding terrorist activities.The Madrid train bombings in March 2004were partially funded by a series of bank robberiesin France. Terrorist organizations are formidableopponents as they are learning organizations. If weare not careful, we may just have to face the fullonslaught of these groups.Terrorism is not new, and even though it has beenused since the beginning of recorded history it can berelatively hard to define. Terrorism has beendescribed variously as both a tactic and strategy; acrime and a holy duty; a justified reaction to oppressionand an inexcusable abomination. Obviously, alot depends on whose point of view is being represented.Terrorism has often been an effective tacticfor the weaker side in a conflict. As an asymmetricform of conflict, it confers coercive power with manyof the advantages of military force at a fraction of thecost. Due to the secretive nature and small size of terroristorganizations, they often offer opponents noclear organization to defend against or to defer.Following are some of the terrorist attackssince September 11, 2001:Date Country IncidentSept 11, 2001 USA Islamic terrorists hijack 4 US airliners. 2 are crashed into the twintowers of New York’s World Trade Centre, one targets the Pentagonin Washington. About 2,000 killedApril 11, 2001 Tunisia A suicide bomber attack on a synagogue on Djerba island inTunisia kills 21.Oct 12, 2002 Indonesia Bomb attacks on Bali discotheques claim 202 lives.Nov 28, 2002 Kenya 3 suicide bombers blow up a car outside an Israeli tourist hotel inMombasa, Kenya killing 18.May 16, 2003 Morocco 45 people die in 5 attacks by Islamists on Western and Jewish facilitiesin Morocco.May 12, 2003 Saudi Arabia 35 people killed in bomb attacks on residential complexes in the capital Riyadh.Nov 20, 2003 Turkey Bombs explode outside British run buildings in Istanbul, killing at least 33 people.Mar 11, 2004 Spain 10 bombs explode on 4 commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people.May 29, 2004 Saudi Arabia 22 people, mainly foreigners, die in attacks in Saudi Arabia on an officeand apartment block.Aug 24, 2004 Russia 2 Russian airliners crash within an hour of each other in the south of Russia afterexplosives are detonated on board. 90 confirmed dead.Sept 1, 2004 Russia Around 30 armed militants seized control of a school at Beslan in southern Russia,taking 1,100 hostages. More than 300 children and adults are killed in the bloodyend to the siege.April 3, 2005 Thailand The blast at Hat Yai international airport, outside a supermarket and near a hotel.Attack in southern Thailand city left 2 people dead and about 75 wounded.July 7, 2005 UK 4 London born men of Pakistani origin blow themselves up on Londontransport system killing 56 people and injuring 700.July 23, 2005 Egypt At least 64 people killed in a series of bombings in the Egyptianholiday resorts of Sharm el Sheikh.Terrorist organizations are truly “learningorganizations”. From an organization, theybecame a movement to survive. As a movement,it is infinitely more difficult to track them downas they have widespread popular support andmany sympathizers. We have to be careful toensure that terrorists and criminals do not gettogether, especially those who have some form of6