The improvised explosive device (IED) has become the most harmful and the gravest danger to infantry troops and ground warfare. Based on the belief that to overcome a problem, we must first understand it, S.I built a monitor that seeks to provide insight on the dangers posed by the IED’s in Somalia and Kenya. The S.I data sets and graphical representations show terrorist attacks conducted by both Al-Qaeda and ISIS extremists group’s branches in Somalia and Kenya. The data also indicate there’s a steady increase of these incidents over the past five years. Though many terror attacks have been recorded in Somalia as compared to Kenya, it’s evident Al-Shabaab has increased use of improvised explosive devices (SVBIED, RCIED & ROADSIDE IEDs).
Marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, in April this year, a top United Nations official in Somalia highlighted the grave danger posed by use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to the civilian population in Somalia and to the East Africa populous. Nearly 3,000 civilians and armed actors have been either killed or injured by IEDs in Somalia and Kenya in the past five years, according to the UN Mine-Action Service (UNMAS), UN’s demining agency. According to S.I counter terrorism database, 2017 was the deadliest, in large part due to an IED attack on October 14 in Mogadishu which killed more than 500 people and injured over 300 in twin bombings.
In Somalia saw civilian deaths and injuries from IEDs attacks increased with about 130% in 2016, compared to the levels recorded in the previous year. At least 271 civilian deaths and injuries were recorded in 2015 and 630 were recorded in 2016. At least 100 armed actors’ deaths and injuries were recorded in 2015 and 200 were recorded in 2016. The Al-Qaeda branch Al-Shabaab, is the most prolific user of IEDs there: of the explosive violence claimed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, more than 70% of their attacks have perpetrated by use of IEDs. For example, in 2017, S.I counter terrorism database recorded 92 terror events in Somalia and a few in Kenya with 1174 fatalities. Out of this figure, 1025 deaths and injuries were as a result of IED attacks.
Al-Shabaab has a considerable number of Kenyan fighters but primarily operate in the south and central regions of Somalia but citing the geographical proximity with Kenya, the militant group has been using the same attack tactic targeting Kenyan security establishments and patrol teams in northeastern and lower frontiers of the country. (Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu counties) have suffered the blunts of cross-border attacks and militant use of IEDs.
In 2017, nearly 70% of Somalia’s IED attacks took place in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. 68% of the total civilian deaths and injuries from IEDs in Somalia were from suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs) in 2016. The rise in IED threat is anticipated to continue in 2018 as indicated in the presentation fatalities linear trendline. In the first half of 2018, Somalia has already seen nearly 400 civilian casualties from IEDs; compared to the same period last year of 322 casualties, this is approximate 25% increase.Increased IEDs’ as preferred attack type by the militant groups constitute a serious threat to civilian populations, doubles as an impediment to socioeconomic development at the national and local levels across African nations.
While it is important to prepare the armed actors (security forces) and defeat the IED menace, firstly recognizing the large and consistent number of civilian casualties caused by IEDs. Subsequently, all parties should work on measures which address the high level of humanitarian harm at the hands of these weapons. This includes measures to address the security of amassed ammunition and munitions, concerted efforts towards the control of source materials, and sharing of intelligence among the allied actors in Somalia.
