Phenomena of Suicide Terrorism - Research Paper Example

Suicide bombing is a relatively old phenomenon however it has become significant during recent times. This paper has discussed some of the motivations behind committing suicide attacks as well as how they can be prevented from committing such crimes. Introduction Suicide terrorism is an influential and powerful trend of terrorism. Number of suicide bombing has been growing and watching this unpleasant news being broadcast has become common and daily routine. Giving up one’s life in dedication of a goal not only creates great fear but also makes people wonder what kind of motivation will make suicide bomber to give up his/her own life. In order to fulfill curiosity of people, this paper studies 1. Types of people who turn into suicide bombers 2. Various motives which makes bombers to exercise suicide bombing 3. Prevention of suicide bombing. By looking at types of people who turn into suicide bombers, paper concludes that suicide bombers are not the ones with extreme tendency. Also they are well educated that they are able to make right choices. Paper will mainly focus on various motives which makes bombers to exercise suicide bombing. In this paper, motives of suicide bombers are divided into three parts. First of all, there are suicide bombings in sense of retaliation. In this case, suicide bombers’ hatred towards their target mostly comes from bombers’ family members who had been victimized from their target. Secondly, influence of their religious teaching is also a big motive for some suicide bombers. These suicide bombers usually are devoted to their religion, sometimes considered as religious extremists, and believe that their death is a glory of martyrdom. Lastly, depression plays a big role for some people to become a suicide bomber. Characteristic of depression related suicide bombers is that they are not interested in martyrdom which set it apart from religion related suicide bombing. Importance of this topic to terrorism comes from its influence. Creating fear and propaganda are both important factors of terrorism and suicide bombing works perfectly for both. In conclusion, we have to carefully study and analyze the patterns of suicide bombing. Better prediction of attack will be made for better prevention. When we successfully prevent suicide bombing, it will discourage those who are in favor of suicide bombing and reduce their attempts. Suicide Terrorism Suicide terrorism has been used occasionally in the past however it is now being used as one of the most lethal weapons by the terrorists. The world which has emerged after 9/11 is the politically volatile world with more terrorist activities taking place. Countries like Iraq and Pakistan have become breading grounds for terrorism where young individuals can easily be motivated to work as suicide bombers. Suicide terrorism is mostly related with the suicide attacks where attackers intend to create maximum damage and kill maximum number of people with the intention to kill him also. Between 1981 to 2006, 1200 suicide attacks took place which account for only 4% of the total attacks however, these attacks have been able to kill almost 32% of the people killed in all suicide attacks. (Hassan, What Motivates the Suicide Bombers?, 2009) During recent times, the overall ratio of suicide attacks has greatly increased in countries like Iraq, Srilanka, Israel and Pakistan. Increase in number of suicide attacks especially after 9/11 has been specifically linked with the involvement of US in the regions like Iraq and Afghanistan. The current debate on the suicide bombings suggest that it is used as a lethal weapon however the overall motivations behind conducting such attacks are always disputed. It is therefore important to understand what kind of people actually conducts such attacks. What kinds of People are engaged in Suicide bombing? It is critical to understand that demography plays an important role in determining the kind of persons to be involved in suicide bombings. It has been observed that most of the suicide bombers emerge from the regions which are politically in turmoil and are in conflict. Countries like Srilanka, Iraq, Pakistan and Palestine are considered as regions from where suicide bombers actually emerge. It is also important to note that most of the bombers are young males however females have also been used as bombers. These characteristics indicate that males may be easily brainwashed and be used for this purpose. Female bombers have been mostly used in Palestine and Iraq whereas in countries like India suicide attacks have also been conducted by female bombers. (Reuter, 2004) Suicide bombers are also considered as mentally normal and are more social in their local communities as compared to others. The socialization element is relatively higher and this may also be one of the reasons as to why they feel more frustration towards whatever is happening in their communities. This trend however, is persistent in regions like Palestine. Personal Revenge and Vengeance Studies have suggested that harsh State or the repression by the State is one of the key reasons as to why people feel strong resentment towards the regime and engage into terrorist activities. However, in case of suicide bombings this phenomenon is relatively different as harsh State is not always the reason as to why people engage into suicide attacks. However the overall situation varies from region to region as in regions like Palestine, most of the suicide bombing takes place due to the State repression from Israel. Same is the case with Iraq and Srilanka where various organizations are using popular sentiments against the State and external powers to recruit suicide bombers. (Araja, 2008) It is also important to note that in most of the cases individuals engaged in suicide bombing have personal revenge to take. They may have already suffered the personal loss of family members or dear ones at the hands of State or some other external forces. This often translates into personal vengeance and resentment forcing people to take such extreme steps. In case of Arab countries, suicide bombing has also another dimension where Arabs consider it as their personal loss to lose their lands and countries to such a tiny State like Israel. The loss of Arab prestige as well as glorious history is considered as one of the personal losses which Arabs have still failed to comprehend despite the fact that Israel is being in existence since last 60 years or so. Individuals also considered suicide bombings as acts of national resistance towards the foreign military occupation and many of the bombings actually took place within few miles of where these individuals actually lived. Peer group pressure is also considered as one of the most compelling reasons as to why individuals may also retaliate. The kind of pressure created by the peer and the rules created by the peers often compel individuals to comply with those rules. Suicide bombers therefore are not only forced by their individual resentment but also through the social pressure which they face within the localities where such tendencies are relatively higher. (Hassan, 2011) Role of Religion Though religion is one of the key factors in motivating individuals to commit suicide bombings but it is not the dominating factor. There is evidence which suggests a link between what is called political Islam and the suicide bombings and ideology of such organizations actually support the use of terrorism. It is critical to understand that there is a general perception especially within Muslims that Arab-Israel-US conflict is basically a clash of civilization. The world which has emerged after 9/11 is considered as a world where there is a perceived clash between Islam and other religions and many believe that it is their religious duty to actually engage into jihad with any such forces which are directly waging war against Islam. It is suggested that certain religious beliefs actually encourage and support suicide bombing. Terrorist organizations use this hypothesis to justify the loss of innocent civilian lives as a result of their activities. These reasons are also used to convince potential recruits that sacrificing their lives for the religion will actually improve their status and will be considered as martyrs. There are two important arguments going on regarding the religious validity of suicide bombings especially in Islam. More orthodox Muslim ideology to which most of the terrorist organizations subscribes to validate the suicide bombings as according to them it is jihad. Fighting jihad against non-Muslims is considered as the main reasons and the means to achieve this objective are discarded. More orthodox Muslims believe that it is perfectly valid to fight a jihad against non-Muslims regardless of the means used to achieve the objective. As such according to them, suicide bombing is valid. Another argument goes against the above argument as it is suggested that committing suicide is forbidden in Islam and therefore committing such crimes is not religious. This argument, though is not popularly received, is officially being adapted even in the Hajj sermons. There is also another argument which indicates that personal association with religion often serves as a valid tool to successfully negotiate with the externalities therefore religion may not be a more potent source of changing the beliefs of potential suicide bombers. Religion can actually serve as a source of strength to fight with the external excessiveness. Religion therefore may not be one of the key influences on the suicide bombers which can actually motivate them to commit suicide bombings. Depression as a reason for suicide bombing One of the key and probably more recent debates is on whether its only the ideology or the religious beliefs which lead individuals to become suicide bombers. There is a growing body of scholarship which suggests that depression and isolation may be one of the key reasons as to why individuals actually become ready to commit such heinous crimes. It has been argued that suicide bombers are actually suicidal in nature and therefore the suicidal tendencies become more magnified as they go into depression and isolation. Constant depression and isolation force them to engage themselves with individuals and groups that can easily exploit their weaknesses and convince them to become suicide bombers. This research is mostly based upon psychology and argues that such individuals actually use suicide bombings as a looping mechanism to avoid themselves falling into the trap of taking their own lives due to their depressed state. As such suicide attacks are used by them as the excuse to get themselves rid from the depression and loneliness. There is also another element to this where suicide bombers are tricked to believe that they will be considered as heroes and martyrs if they commit suicide attacks. Their overall response is also based upon perceived sense of loss of significance where these individuals actually believe that they have lost the significance in the society and that by committing suicide attacks they can actually claim the much needed significance and status within the society after their death. (Espejo, 2009) How to Prevent? Probably one of the best options available to tackle this issue to increase the political inclusion of the communities which may be potential targets to create suicide bombers. Though it may be relatively difficult to actually fulfill the personal loss however providing economic and political space to suppressed communities can result into decrease in the number of suicide bombings. Since depression and personal revenge are two of the most important factors, it is therefore critical more economic and social inclusion can actually result into better integration of various communities within the society and can decrease the number of suicide bombings. Conclusion Suicide bombings are not a new phenomenon and it has been used by the terrorists as one of the most potent tools. However, the recent surge in numbers especially after 9/11 has resulted into a much needed debate to argue on the motivating factors which force individuals to actually commit suicide bombings. One of the key reasons is the personal resentment and vengeance which potential suicide bombers have towards the State repression. Such individuals commit such crimes mostly due to their personal issues such as loss of life in their own family etc. another reason is the religion and religious ideologies which force individuals to actually commit this. Religious ideologies and the fight against non-Muslims as jihad serve as the ground for motivating suicide bombers. Finally depression is also one of the reasons as to why people engage into suicide bombing. Bibliography Araja, B. (2008). Harsh State Repression as a Cause of Suicide Bombing: The Case of the Palestinian–Israeli Conflict. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 31(4), 284-303. Espejo, R. (2009). What Motivates Suicide Bombers? New York: Greenhaven Press. Hassan, R. (2009, September 3). What Motivates the Suicide Bombers? Retrieved from Yale Global: http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/what-motivates-suicide-bombers-0 Hassan, R. (2011). Suicide Bombings. New York: Taylor & Francis. Reuter, C. (2004). My Life Is a Weapon:A Modern History of Suicide Bombing. Boston: Princeton University Press,. Read More