Manchester Terror Attacks

There are a lot of things to learn from the recent terror attack in Manchester at the Ariana Grande show, and I would like to use this blog article to draw attention to some of them, so that we can all better understand the nature of this type of threat.

There are few actual lone wolves. Terrorist organizations such as ISIS, can inspire, enable and even directly orchestrate and engage in acts of terror. They can provide the motivation and encouragement to commit terrorist acts, and help enable them, such as providing an “inspired” individual, with access to a bomb maker, who can provide them with a suicide vest/backpack, or an education in bomb-making (as seems to be the case with this attack). They may also help them determine an appropriate target, and keep them reassured and motivated to engage in the act, when they have doubts and concerns. We may like to think of religious zealots as never questioning whether what they are doing is warranted or justified, however someone who is planning to kill themselves and others will have moments of reflection and questioning; regardless of their commitment to the cause. One of the four main tactics for dealing with terrorism is referred to as “Civic Action”, which focuses on trying to provide appealing societal alternatives to terrorist actions, both in those who are planning to commit such acts, and the communities that support them – if individuals don’t feel disenfranchised and disrespected, they will be less motivated to become supporters of terrorism. These are both things that terrorist organizations need to overcome to keep their operatives on track.

Salman Abedi, was banned from a Mosque, after criticizing an Iman (he accused him of “talking bollocks”), whose sermon criticized the Islamic State. Already feeling disenfranchised as UK citizen, he was now facing non-acceptance from the Muslim community around him. A key message that ISIS, keeps telling its recruits, is to stay away from the Mosques; it doesn’t want them to be subjected to any message other than theirs. It is also important to note that the elders at the Mosque reported him to the authorities, for the extremist views he expressed. This was one of several warning signs that Abedi gave, showing that he was harboring extremist sentiments.

Before you can consider and fantasize about an extreme act of violence, you must first recognize it as acceptable and justified. This often becomes evident, when individuals express acceptance and possible admiration for the violent/terrorist acts of others, e.g. a disgruntled employee who isn’t appalled at mass shooting at another workplace, and instead remarks that management got what they deserved, etc. This is one of the first indicators that somebody may be considering an act of extreme violence – and it is significant enough to take note of, and not be dismissed or discounted as “just talk”. Abedi, told family members and friends (who informed the authorities), that he thought being a suicide bomber was “okay”. It is not clear, whether he said this before he was recruited and had a plan in place, or after, however when somebody expresses that acts of terrorism by others are acceptable, then they are also expressing that they have passed a moral boundary that could potentially see them engage in such an act.

The US Secret Service found that in 81% of School Shootings, the shooters told somebody of their plans; whether that is somebody who they deem sympathetic to their plan, or not. It seems that acts of terrorism are no different. We know for sure that Salman told his brother, Hashim Ramadan Abu Qassem al-Abedi, about the plan, and it is probable that he told others. There are many personal motivations as to why somebody engages in a suicide bombing apart from wanting to do something for the cause, and some of these can only be satisfied before dying e.g. if you want to experience the admiration, or even the fear, of others, you need to do this before you die, and this involves communicating what you are about to do. You may also have concerns and doubts, that you don’t want to let the organization you are part of know about, for fear of losing respect, etc. We often talk about and simplify the character of terrorists as being simply barbaric animals, however it is their human nature, and the need to be recognized socially that can give us the warning signs of their intent.

One of the glaring questions that people are asking in the wake of the Manchester attack, is: despite all the warning signs that were there, and the reports to the authorities, etc., how was Salman Abedi able to carry out this terrorist act? There is probably a myriad of reasons that compiled would give an answer, but one that seems apparent is the lack of police manpower in the UK, due to the recent cuts and downsizing of the police force. There need to be enough people who can join the dots, to create a full picture. There need to be people “on the ground” who are aware of what is going on in the community. I remember driving through Herzliya, Israel with Dr Dennis Hanover, and remarking about all the new construction that was going on. He pointed out that if Israel didn’t have to worry about security to the point it did, and devote the massive amounts of resources to it that it does, there would be even greater growth and expansion. In the age that we live in, security is one of our most valuable commodities, and it is not one that we should skimp on.

What can we as individuals do? One thing is to give blood. There will always be those who get through the net, however much security there is. Abedi didn’t cross any security perimeters; just like Mohammad Daleel, who detonated a backpack he was wearing at the entrance to the Ansbach Open Music Festival, in July 2016. As security tightens, the perimeters become more vulnerable, and open to attack. Terrorism is a question of “when” not “if”, and we can help limit the casualty rate by making sure there is an adequate supply of blood, in our blood banks – as an individual you don’t necessarily have to prevent a shooting or stop a bomber to save a life; you may do so by giving blood. Learn first-aid. Learn how to properly tourniquet. Carry a first-aid kit. You’re going to need something a bit more than your boy scout or girl guide’s first aid course, but tactical first-aid courses are available and out there. You may be the first one at the scene who can help, and cutting the time, when people receive assistance, cuts fatalities – one of the reasons that the death rate was so high in the Orlando Nightclub Shooting in June 2016 (49 fatalities), was because it was over three hours before medical services could get to those shot.

We don’t want to get nervous around anyone who is wearing a backpack, but there are places where someone with a backpack is going to look out of place - e.g. outside a concert, outside a football ground, etc. Abedi demonstrated that you don’t have to get into a venue to make an attack, you can target the crowd outside. Play it safe, and don’t arrive or leave with the crowd. Don’t be afraid to report your suspicions – anyone who turns up to a crowded event wearing a backpack, needs to understand that they will be a cause for concern. Remember, the more assumptions you have to make about something, the less likely you are to be right about it e.g. is someone walking towards a concert that’s ending, wearing a backpack, just picking someone up to go on late night camping expedition? We may not want to come to the conclusion that we, or others, may be in danger, but if we find ourselves coming up with unlikely reasons to explain something away, we probably are, and need to act.